cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accounting Choice, Economic Environment and Employee Demographics

The accounting for defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans requires substantial managerial judgment and therefore allows for managerial discretion in the choice of plan assumptions. Previous research has shown that firms tend to increase their assumed discount rates to minimize their Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) and the magnitude of the increase is negatively related to the duration (time to maturity) of the firm’s pension liabilities, since the impact on the PBO is greater (smaller) the longer (shorter) the duration. Ultimately, the duration of the firm’s plan is a function of the characteristics of the firm’s current workforce relative to its retirees. This paper investigates whether cross-sectional differences in the duration of firms’ plans are related to the firms’ discount rate choices. Specifically, when interest rates are low, firms whose pension plans have short durations may be motivated to lower their discount rates (rather than increase them), since a lower discount rate will decrease their pension expense. We find that for shorter duration firms, duration is positively related to the discount rate. These results, which are contrary to the findings in prior research, are especially relevant in the present climate of low interest rates and more firms freezing their defined benefit pension plans, thereby shortening the duration of their obligations.
Biological and clinical significance of cancer stem cell plasticity

In the past decade, the traditional view of cancers as a homogeneous collection of malignant cells is being replaced by a model of ever increasing complexity suggesting that cancers are complex tissues composed of multiple cell types. This complex model of tumorigenesis has been well supported by a growing body of evidence indicating that most cancers including those derived from blood and solid tissues display a hierarchical organization of tumor cells with phenotypic and functional heterogeneity and at the apex of this hierarchy are cells capable of self-renewal. These “tumor imitating cells” or “cancer stem cells” drive tumorigenesis and contribute to metastasis, treatment resistance and tumor relapse. Although tumor stem cells themselves may display both genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, recent studies have demonstrated that cancer stem cells maintain plasticity to transition between mesenchymal-like (EMT) and epithelial-like (MET) states, which may be regulated by the tumor microenvironment. These stem cell state transitions may play a fundamental role in tumor progression and treatment resistance. In this review, we discuss the emerging knowledge regarding the plasticity of cancer stem cells with an emphasis on the signaling pathways and noncoding RNAs including microRNAs (miRNA) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in regulation of this plasticity during tumor growth and metastasis. Lastly, we point out the importance of targeting both the EMT and MET states of CSCs in order to eliminate these lethal seeds of cancers.
Commentary: Embracing Culture as Essential to Pacific People:

The existing written literature on Pacific people is generally limited and available information is often incomplete, inaccurate or outdated. In many geographical locations, including the United St...
Spatial distribution of plasma in the Io Torus

In situ measurements of ion densities and temperatures have been analyzed to produce profiles of these plasma parameters along the Voyager 1 inbound trajectory between 7 and 5 Jupiter radii. The temperature profile shows a sharp decrease by a factor of 50 between 5.8 and 5.2 Jupiter radii corresponding to a temperature gradient of 7 x 10 to the 5th per Jupiter radius. The electron density profile, inferred from the ion density measurements, has two maxima at 5.7 and 5.3 Jupiter radii. A two-dimensional model of the spatial distribution of various ionic species in the Io plasma torus has been constructed. Using this model a contour map of electron density in a meridional plane has been made, it exhibits a well-defined inner edge to the torus at 5.6 Jupiter radii. The contour map of S(+) ion density indicates that most of the S(+) ions are concentrated close to the centrifugal symmetry surface and radially inward of the larger electron density maximum near 5.7 Jupiter radii.
Naturalistic distraction and driving safety in older drivers.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to quantify and compare performance of middle-aged and older drivers during a naturalistic distraction paradigm (visual search for roadside targets) and to predict older drivers performance given functioning in visual, motor, and cognitive domains. BACKGROUND: Distracted driving can imperil healthy adults and may disproportionally affect the safety of older drivers with visual, motor, and cognitive decline. METHOD: A total of 203 drivers, 120 healthy older (61 men and 59 women, ages 65 years and older) and 83 middle-aged drivers (38 men and 45 women, ages 40 to 64 years), participated in an on-road test in an instrumented vehicle. Outcome measures included performance in roadside target identification (traffic signs and restaurants) and concurrent driver safety. Differences in visual, motor, and cognitive functioning served as predictors. RESULTS: Older drivers identified fewer landmarks and drove slower but committed more safety errors than did middle-aged drivers. Greater familiarity with local roads benefited performance of middle-aged but not older drivers.Visual cognition predicted both traffic sign identification and safety errors, and executive function predicted traffic sign identification over and above vision. CONCLUSION: Older adults are susceptible to driving safety errors while distracted by common secondary visual search tasks that are inherent to driving. The findings underscore that age-related cognitive decline affects older drivers' management of driving tasks at multiple levels and can help inform the design of on-road tests and interventions for older drivers. Keywords: Driver distraction; Language: en
No Evidence for Effects of Fitness Relevance or Sex Differences in a Virtual Hunting and Gathering Task

A computerized task could be completed by predicting the location of a moving target or by choosing several stationary targets. In a fitness-relevant condition, this task was presented to participants in terms of hunting and gathering food necessary for survival. In four experiments, there was no evidence that male and female participants differed in terms of their tendency to complete the task in these two ways. In three of the experiments, performance in the fitness-relevant condition was compared to performance in a control condition in which the task was presented as a computer game with no reference to hunting or gathering. No evidence for an effect of fitness relevance was found. These results challenge the idea that sex differences in spatial cognition are related to the sexual differentiation of foraging behavior during human history. They also suggest limitations on the role of fitness-relevant processing of information (“survival processing”) on cognitive performance.
Neuropsychological Function in a Case of Dandy-Walker Variant in a 68-Year-Old Veteran

Dandy-Walker syndrome (DWS) is a congenital brain malformation that is characterized by partial or complete agenesis of the cerebellar vermis and cystic dilatation of the 4th ventricle that shifts ventrolaterally to displace the cerebellar hemispheres. This case is a 68-year-old male veteran with complaints of new-onset cognitive disorder who was found to have previously unsuspected DWS on head computed tomography. This is one of the first case studies to present complete neuropsychological test results in a veteran with DWS. Despite the level of abnormality on imaging, the veteran functioned well until onset of mild cognitive impairments in late adulthood.
Trauma to the External Genitalia

Genitourinary injuries occur in approx 10 to 15% of patients who suffer abdominal and pelvic injuries. Trauma to the external genitalia. is uncommon. Whenever trauma to the genitalia occurs, consideration of a urethral injury is prudent. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of external genital trauma aims to preserve organ structure and function and complications such as infection, hemorrhage, and urinary extravasation. In general, the ample blood supply serving the external genitalia encourages healing and prevents infection. In cases of significant genital injury and organ loss, the likelihood for severe emotional distress may warrant early psychiatric consultation.
Ensenanza efectiva : usando el ciclo de ensenanza de kolb para mejorar el aprendizaje del estudiante

El autor propone una tecnica que ayuda a los estudiantes a aprender mas y a obtener satisfaccion intelectual de la experiencia.
Productivity Measurement and the Output of Retailing

It is easy to equate the output of a retail establishment with the value of its sales (e.g., revenue). The simplicity of this approach is clearly the reason that it is so often used. However, we have argued that to do this is conceptually inappropriate because it confuses output and demand two distinct phenomena (Achabal, Heineke, and Mcintyre 1984).Goodman (1985) once again asserts the, "value as output," point of view for retailers, and we feel that it is important to clarify several issues in light of his comments. With few exceptions, all points raised by Goodman fall in the same category; he would require that, "meaningful," measures of productivity be measures of the value of the product or service.We have divided this paper into two sections. The first section contains general comments on Goodman's discussion of output measures for retail establishments. The second section addresses appropriate methods for using market data to estimate retail production functions.
Constrained Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Relative Abundances of Protein Conformation in a Heterogeneous Mixture from Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Intensity Measurements

In this paper, we describe a model for maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) of the relative abundances of different conformations of a protein in a heterogeneous mixture from small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) intensities. To consider cases where the solution includes intermediate or unknown conformations, we develop a subset selection method based on k-means clustering and the Cramer-Rao bound on the mixture coefficient estimation error to find a sparse basis set that represents the space spanned by the measured SAXS intensities of the known conformations of a protein. Then, using the selected basis set and the assumptions on the model for the intensity measurements, we show that the MLE model can be expressed as a constrained convex optimization problem. Employing the adenylate kinase (ADK) protein and its known conformations as an example, and using Monte Carlo simulations, we demonstrate the performance of the proposed estimation scheme. Here, although we use 45 crystallographically determined experimental structures and we could generate many more using, for instance, molecular dynamics calculations, the clustering technique indicates that the data cannot support the determination of relative abundances for more than 5 conformations. The estimation of this maximum number of conformations is intrinsic to the methodology we have used here.
Chapter 1: Foundations of International Environmental Law

The introductory chapter of this book reviews the religious, ethical, and philosophical underpinnings of environmental law. Judeo-Christian religions, Islam, and Buddhism all contain guidance about how to interact with the environment. Although early treaties reflect a belief that humans had the right to use nature to their benefit without any restrictions, later policies aim “to reconcile competing social and economic policies in order to obtain equitable sharing of resources.” The chapter discusses features of the economic system that present challenges to preserving the environment, including tragedy of the commons and competitive disadvantage. Finally, the article describes international law sources of environmental law, including the Rio Declaration. This chapter concludes that environmental strategies “emerge from religious and philosophical beliefs but also must be based on scientific and economic realities that require an integrated and interdisciplinary approach.”
Effects of race on upper airway dynamic function during sleep in children.

STUDY OBJECTIVE Studies in adults and children have shown that African American race is a risk factor for the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Therefore, we hypothesized that non-obese, non-snoring African American children would have a more collapsible upper airway during sleep than age-, gender-, and size-matched Caucasians. DESIGN Upper airway dynamic function was measured during sleep in normal African American and Caucasian children. SETTING Sleep laboratory. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS 56 normal children between the ages of 8-18 years. INTERVENTIONS Pressure-flow relationships were measured during NREM sleep. Nasal pressure was decreased to subatmospheric levels, using previously described techniques that resulted in an activated and relatively hypotonic upper airway. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The activated and hypotonic critical pressures (Pcrit) were -25 (-25, -3) (median, range) and -19 (-25, -3) for African Americans, and -25 (-25, -4) and -25 (-25.0, -4) cm H(2)O, respectively, for Caucasians. The slopes of the pressure-flow response (SPF) under activated and hypotonic conditions for African Americans were 10 (-9, 46) and 13 (-20, 46), and for Caucasians 9 (-9, 64) and 8 (-5, 54) mL/s/cm H(2)O, respectively. There were no significant differences between groups for Pcrit or SPF under either activated or hypotonic conditions. CONCLUSION Upper airway collapsibility was similar in asymptomatic, non-obese African American and Caucasian children. Differences in upper airway characteristics and neuromotor function cannot explain the increased prevalence of OSAS in African American children.
Anharmonicity and atomic distribution of SnTe and PbTe thermoelectrics

The structure and lattice dynamics of rock-salt thermoelectric materials SnTe and PbTe are investigated with single crystal and powder neutron diffraction, inelastic neutron scattering (INS), and first-principles simulations. Our first-principles calculations of the radial distribution function (RDF) in both SnTe and PbTe show a clear asymmetry in the first nearest-neighbor (1NN) peak, which increases with temperature, in agreement with experimental reports (Ref. 1,2). We show that this peak asymmetry for the 1NN Sn–Te or Pb–Te bond results from large-amplitude anharmonic vibrations (phonons). No atomic off-centering is found in our simulations. In addition, the atomic mean square displacements derived from our diffraction data reveal stiffer bonding at the anion site, in good agreement with the partial phonon densities of states from INS, and first-principles calculations. In conclusion, these results provide clear evidence for large-amplitude anharmonic phonons associated with the resonant bonding leading to the ferroelectric instability.
Effects of Cortisone, Hyaluronidase, Desoxycorticosterone, and Artisone on Experimental Serum Disease in Rabbits:

ConclusionsCortisone in doses of 4 mg twice daily depressed the Arthus reaction in the skin and completely prevented arteritis and carditis in 8 of 9 rabbits treated with horse serum. Glomerular nephritis, on the other hand, was not prevented. The zona fasciculata of the adrenals was atrophied. The mortality rate was highest among the animals receiving cortisone. Hyaluronidase in doses of 6000 T.R.U. per kg depressed the Arthus reaction in the skin and diminished glomerular nephritis, but enhanced arteritis and carditis. These observations may be explained by the ability of hyaluronidase to weaken ground substance barriers, thereby diverting antigen and antibody from the kidneys to the general vascular bed. DCA and Artisone in the doses used had no remarkable effect on the histological manifestations of serum disease, but DCA caused a depression of the Arthus reaction in the skin possibly through its hyaluronidase-like effect upon the ground substance.It appears that serum disease is an excellent experime...
Vanadocene de Novo: Spectroscopic and Computational Analysis of Bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)vanadium(II)

The magnetic and electronic properties of the long-known organometallic complex vanadocene (VCp2), which has an S = 3/2 ground state, were investigated using conventional (X-band) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and high-frequency and -field EPR (HFEPR), electronic absorption, and variable-temperature magnetic circular dichroism (VT-MCD) spectroscopies. Frozen toluene solution X-band EPR spectra were well resolved, yielding the 51V hyperfine coupling constants, while HFEPR were also of outstanding quality and allowed ready determination of the rigorously axial zero-field splitting of the spin quartet ground state of VCp2: D = +2.836(2) cm–1, g⊥ = 1.991(2), g∥ = 2.001(2). Electronic absorption and VT-MCD studies on VCp2 support earlier assignments that the absorption signals at 17 000, 19 860, and 24 580 cm–1 are due to ligand-field transitions from the 4A2g ground state to the 4E1g, 4E2g, and 4E1g excited states, using symmetry labels from the D5d point group (i.e., staggered VCp2). Contributions to...
Changes in a caribbean fruit fly acoustic signal with social situation (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) males produce a wing-generated calling song from leaf territories in leks. Virgin females discriminate between songs on the basis of pulsetrain interval (PTI) (the interval between sound bursts) with short-PTI songs eliciting more reaction. Males were found to shorten their pulse-train intervals in the presence of females and produce longer pulse trains with a higher frequency when near males. While males sing short-interval songs near potential mates, the amount of singing declines. This is due to the addition of another signal, wing semaphoring. Males are relatively quiescent when long pulse-train/high frequency sounds are broadcast toward them. There is a similar reaction to the obviously agonistic “aggression song.”
The impact of adverse child and adult experiences on recovery from serious mental illness.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare effects of adverse childhood experiences and adverse adult experiences on recovery from serious mental illnesses. METHODS As part of a mixed-methods study of recovery from serious mental illnesses, we interviewed and administered questionnaires to 177 members of a not-for-profit health plan over a 2-year period. Participants had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, affective psychosis, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder. Data for analyses came from standardized self-reported measures; outcomes included recovery, functioning, quality of life, and psychiatric symptoms. Adverse events in childhood and adulthood were evaluated as predictors. RESULTS Child and adult exposures to adverse experiences were high, at 91% and 82%, respectively. Cumulative lifetime exposure to adverse experiences (childhood plus adult experiences) was 94%. In linear regression analyses, adverse adult experiences were more important predictors of outcomes than adverse childhood experiences. Adult experiences were associated with lower recovery scores, quality of life, mental and physical functioning and social functioning and greater psychiatric symptoms. Emotional neglect in adulthood was associated with lower recovery scores. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Early and repeated exposure to adverse events was common in this sample of people with serious mental illnesses. Adverse adult experiences were stronger predictors of worse functioning and lower recovery levels than were childhood experiences. Focusing clinical attention on adult experiences of adverse or traumatic events may result in greater benefit than focusing on childhood experiences alone.
Functional properties of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) phytochemicals and bioactives

Overwhelming evidence indicates that diets rich in fruits and vegetables are protective against common chronic diseases, such as cancer, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Leafy green vegetables, in particular, are recognized as having substantial health-promoting activities that are attributed to the functional properties of their nutrients and non-essential chemical compounds. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is widely regarded as a functional food due to its diverse nutritional composition, which includes vitamins and minerals, and to its phytochemicals and bioactives that promote health beyond basic nutrition. Spinach-derived phytochemicals and bioactives are able to (i) scavenge reactive oxygen species and prevent macromolecular oxidative damage, (ii) modulate expression and activity of genes involved in metabolism, proliferation, inflammation, and antioxidant defence, and (iii) curb food intake by inducing secretion of satiety hormones. These biological activities contribute to the anti-cancer, anti-obesity, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic properties of spinach. Despite these valuable attributes, spinach consumption remains low in comparison to other leafy green vegetables. This review examines the functional properties of spinach in cell culture, animals and humans with a focus on the molecular mechanisms by which spinach-derived non-essential phytochemicals and bioactives, such as glycolipids and thylakoids, impart their health benefits.
Differential Solubilization of the Integral Electron Transport Complexes from the Thylakoid Membrane of Spinach Chloroplasts. Localization of Photosystem I, Photosystem II and the Cytochrome B6-F Complex

In higher plant chloroplasts the thylakoid membrane is typically differentiated into grana and stroma-exposed lamellae. The functional significance of this structural phenomenon is the segregation of the two photosystems: Photosystem I (PSI) is associated with the stroma-exposed membrane regions while most of the Photosystem II (PSII) is found localized in the grana “partition regions” [1]. How the cytochrome b6-f (Cyt b6-f) complex is distributed within this complex membrane architecture has not been clearly resolved. Knowing the distribution of Cyt b6-f is important in elucidating the “mobile” electron carrier of the photosynthetic electron transport chain; plastoquinone, plastocyanin or both.
Emission of electrons from a patterned negative electron affinity cathode

We have developed a microelectronics process to achieve the negative electron affinity (NEA) effect on the exposed areas of a patterned p/sup ++/-GaAs chip. The process was also extended to fabricate multielectrode NEA cathodes. The ability to selectively emit electrons from small areas can have applications in NEA-based vacuum microelectronic devices, projection e-beam lithography tools, and combinations of bulk devices with vacuum electronic emitters. Such instruments can take advantage of the cold operation, monochromaticity and high brightness of NEA cathodes. >
Video as Text of Teaching: Toward More Deliberate Literacy Field Experience Supervision

ABSTRACTIn this article, we theoretically explore how the deliberate use of video during literacy field experiences creates a text that can be read by triad members and can ameliorate the problem of relying on memory to engage in reflective conversations about literacy teaching and learning. The use of video, tools, and interactions with knowledgeable others to facilitate the reflection process is discussed. We also write about the ways video can be used within the triad model of supervision to develop the pedagogical content knowledge of prospective teachers, inservice teachers, and university supervisors.
Coastal‐trapped behavior of the diurnal internal tide at O'ahu, Hawai'i

The influence of rotation on the structure and propagation of internal tides around O'ahu, Hawai'i is investigated using in situ observations and a tidally forced, primitive equation model with realistic bathymetry and stratification. Particular attention is given to the diurnal internal tide, which largely has been de-emphasized in previous studies of the region because of the dominance of the semidiurnal internal tide but has been determined by recent studies to be a significant contributor to baroclinic variability. Though both diurnal and semidiurnal internal tides are generated primarily over Ka'ena Ridge to the northwest of the island, the diurnal internal tide propagates clockwise around the island as an imperfectly trapped wave, while the semidiurnal internal tide propagates away from the ridge, unaffected by rotation. The diurnal and semidiurnal internal tides fall into the superinertial frequency range; however, the diurnal frequency apparently is sufficiently close to inertial (∼ 1.4f) for rotation to affect internal tide propagation. The in situ observations support the model finding that diurnal trapping provides the primary source of baroclinic variability along the eastern coast of the island, a stretch of coastline otherwise sheltered from the internal tide energy generated over the Hawaiian Ridge. The findings in Hawai'i suggest that coastal trapping of superinertial internal tides may be a significant source of variability and mixing in other nearshore systems around the world.
Medicare Beneficiaries' High Out-of-Pocket Costs: Cost Burdens by Income and Health Status.

ISSUE: Fifty-six million people--17 percent of the U.S. population--rely on Medicare. Yet, its benefits exclude dental, vision, hearing, and long-term services, and it contains no ceiling on out-of-pocket costs for covered services, exposing beneficiaries to high costs. GOAL: To inform discussion of possible changes to Medicare, this issue brief looks at beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket costs by income and health status. METHODS: Spending estimates based on the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION: More than one-fourth of all Medicare beneficiaries--15 million people--spend 20 percent or more of their incomes on premiums plus medical care, including cost-sharing and uncovered services. Beneficiaries with incomes below 200 percent of the poverty level (just under $24,000 for a single person) and those with multiple chronic conditions or functional limitations are at significant financial risk. Overall, beneficiaries spent an average of $3,024 per year on out-of-pocket costs. Financial burdens and access gaps highlight the need to approach reform with caution. Already-high burdens suggest restructuring cost-sharing to ensure affordability and to provide relief for low-income beneficiaries.
Navigating health care: brokerage and access for undocumented Latino immigrants under the 2010 Affordable Care Act

ABSTRACTBrokerage is a prominent mechanism that explains access for Latino immigrants to many American institutions. However, few studies examine the dual nature of brokerage in answering questions on access to health care for undocumented Latino immigrants. The growing importance of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and ethnic navigators connecting immigrants to health care under the 2010 Affordable Care Act calls attention to the duality of brokers and its role in access. The study draws from 44 in-depth interviews with providers, clinic directors, navigators, and immigrant patients and two years of fieldwork in FQHCs in California’s San Francisco Bay Area (2011–2013). Results show that brokers enable access through coaching and myth-busting but they also hinder it through scrutiny and bureaucratic filtering. The widespread dependence on brokerage, I argue, leads to ersatz brokerage, such as when providers navigate the health-care system for the undocumented without the appropriate linguistic r...
A geospatially-enabled web tool for urban water demand forecasting and assessment of alternative urban water management strategies

Abstract This study develops and demonstrates the Integrated Urban Water Model (IUWM) for forecasting urban water demand with options to assess effects of water conservation and reuse. While water and energy balance drive hydrologic, storage and recycling simulations on a daily timestep, social and infrastructural processes are resolved by spatially distributed parameters. IUWM is deployed as an online tool with geographical information system (GIS) interfaces, enhancing its ease of use and applicability at building to municipal scales. The performance of the model at varying spatial scales was evaluated with extensive water metering data for the City of Fort Collins, Colorado. The calibrated model provided very good estimates of demands at individual block group as well as the municipal service area. The capacity of IUWM for the assessment of the spatiotemporal variability of water consumption and effects of water demand management strategies under climate and urban growth scenarios is discussed.
Economics of d-Limonene Recovery

d-Limonene is the main volatile constituent of citrus peel oil, and the collected volatile portion of oil is usually referred to as d-Limonene in the trade. The later definition will be used throughout this paper rather than the exact chemical definition.Paper published with permission.Compilation Copyright © 2018 ASME
Augmentation’s boundary conditions? Investigation of spatial contiguity, temporal contiguity, and target flavor familiarity

Abstract When a preconditioned flavor (A) is conditioned in compound with a novel target flavor (X), the aversion to the target X is increased; this enhanced aversion to X is called augmentation. In 6 experiments with rat subjects, we manipulated the spatial contiguity of cues during compound conditioning (AX+), the temporal contiguity of cues during compound conditioning (AX+), and the familiarity of the target. In all 6 studies, augmentation was recorded with spatially separated flavors. In Experiments 2–4, augmentation was not detected if the two flavors were temporally discontiguous, but augmentation still occurred if the cues were partially contiguous (i.e., the flavors co-occurred for 2 min of a 4-min exposure). Even though stimulus preexposure can often weaken subsequent conditioning, augmentation was observed following 1 or 4 preexposures to the target taste (Experiment 5A) or target odor (Experiment 5B). In sum, manipulations that should weaken, but not eliminate, the within-compound association formed during AX+ conditioning did not prevent augmentation, suggesting the robustness of the within-compound association when one of the elements is a preconditioned flavor.
Double Hydrogen-Atom Exchange Reactions of HX (X = F, Cl, Br, I) with HO2.

A novel double hydrogen atom exchange process, HX + H′O2 → H′X + HO2 for the halogen series X = F, Cl, Br, and I, is identified using theoretical methods. These concerted reactions are mediated through a stabilized five-membered planar ring transition state structure. The transition state barrier for the double exchange process is found to be significantly lower than that for the abstraction reaction of a single hydrogen atom. Density functional theory employing the M11 exchange functional is used to compute parameters of the potential energy surface and the rate coefficients are obtained using transition state theory with small curvature tunneling. For low temperatures, the exchange reaction proceeds at a rate several orders of magnitude faster than the abstraction channel, which is also calculated. The exchange process may be observed using isotope scrambling reactions; such reactions may contribute to observed isotope abundances in the atmosphere. The rate coefficients for the isotopically labeled reac...
Demography of Gender

Examining the research on gender in demography makes clear that we work in a much more hopeful environment than existed just 10 years ago. We have accumulated a rich store of information on gender’s connection to processes surrounding fertility and mortality. Perhaps the most positive sign is the sheer volume of work dealing with gender, and the ways that most demographers recognize gender’s importance in all social processes. Gaps do remain in our understanding of gender and demographic behavior. It may be that the tools of demography are not geared to understanding the complexities of gender; more data may not necessarily give us more answers. But these gaps, then, are linked to the theoretical and methodological weaknesses in the field generally and the ways that much of the work on gender continues to follow the field instead of “imagining” something different (Dixon-Mueller and Germain 2000; see also Kertzer and Fricke 1997 and McNicoll 1992 on some of demography’s other weaknesses).
My Friends Made Me Do It

The social network of an individual is shown to highly condition people’s life outcomes (Grannovetter, 1973) – from education to earnings to health outcomes. Although sociologists may differ on their ideas as to how social capital is developed and produced, the educational outcomes from it are clear: the social relations that students have with their friends, peers, parents, and parents’ network influence their educational aspirations, attainment, and achievement.
A generalized variational approach for predicting contact angles of sessile nano-droplets on both flat and curved surfaces

Abstract Derivations of Young's equation have traditionally neglected the Laplace pressure and its influence on the curvature of sessile droplets under thermodynamic equilibrium. Omission of the Laplace pressure results in overestimating the line tension by several orders of magnitude and contributes to significant errors in predicting the contact angle for droplet volumes ranging from micro-liters to atto-liters. This paper addresses this issue and offers a correct inclusion of VdP as a virtual work term in the free energy variation at the liquid-vapor boundary for both flat and curved surfaces. While the Laplace pressure is constant at the liquid-vapor interface as a condition of equilibrium, the variation of the Laplace pressure is not zero, as it influences both the shape (spherical cap) and contact angle of sessile droplets. Inclusion of this term leads naturally to a definition of the line tension as a volume dependent term, and more importantly to a correct prediction in both sign and magnitude of the line tension value. The inclusion of VdP work predicts a cubic relationship between the cosine of the contact angle and droplet line radius. This new model extends existing theories on the behavior of nanosized droplets and its predictions exhibit quantitative agreement with experimental results for nonane, dodecane, fullerene, and glycerol trioleate over a range of 15 orders of magnitude in droplet volume. Finally, we also theorize the existence of two different equilibrium contact angles at lower droplet volumes. These two values diverge with the inverse line radius.
Dust Insensitive Single Mode Multi Fiber Connector with Expanded Beam

Multi-fiber connector with expanded beam has been developed by fusion splicing of GRIN lens and SMF fiber. This new connector reduced the increase in average insertion loss after dust test to 0.35 dB and made it possible to reduce the increase in average connection loss to 0.06 dB by air blow cleaning.
Controlling Institutions: International Organizations and the Global Economy

1. Introduction: international organization and US power Part I. Theory: 2. A theory of international organization 3. A model of informal governance Part II. Cases: 4. Informal governance in the IMF 5. The World Trade Organization 6. The European Union Part III. Hypotheses: 7. Access to IMF resources 8. Conditionality under IMF programs 9. Enforcement 10. Conclusions.
Axisymmetric Gregorian Reflector System for a Space-Deployed Inflatable Antenna: Simulations and Measurements

An axisymmetric array-fed confocal parabolic Gregorian reflector antenna system for potential space deployment is explored. The simulated antenna at Ku-band utilizes a planar array located near the vertex of the primary reflector. Numerical electromagnetic simulations based on the multilevel fast multipole method (MLFMM) were used to analyze and optimize the antenna parameters for fixed on-axis peak directivity performance at Ku-band. Simulations of the radiation pattern performance of the dual reflector system with a 2.4m diameter primary reflector and 0.25m diameter subreflector operating at Ku band are presented. Compact range measurements of a prototype inflatable reflector system with an X-band horn-lens feed are compared with simulations.
Heterosis and its components in F 2 populations of maize hybrids

The potential of 28 hybrids maize F 2 population, obtained from a complete diallel among eight F 2 populations, along with the eight parental F 2 populations and two commercial controls were evaluated for agronomic traits, heterosis and its compo - nents. The experiments were developed in 2008/09, in Campinas, Mococa and Palmital, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The experi - mental design was in randomized blocks, with three replications. The agronomic traits male flowering, ear height and grain yield were evaluated. The grain yield was adjusted to 14% of moisture. Individual and grouped variance analyses were made considering the fixed model, with the means being compared by the Tukey test. The Gardner and Eberhart (1966) model was used in the diallel analysis. It was observed that the effect of heterosis and its components were highly significant. Consider - ing the grain yield, populations F 2 AG8060, F 2 Fort, F 2 A2555 are promising in hybrid combinations, with high values of parental heterosis. The population F 2 DAS2B710 had the greatest parental heterosis effects. There was heterosis manifestation for grain yield, mainly for hybrid F 2 A2555 x F 2 Fort. It was confirmed the potential of F 2 population hybrids as an alternative to the commercial maize production with medium to low technological input.
Retrospective analysis of immune-related adverse events (irAE) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients treated with first-line ipilimumab and nivolumab (I+N).

e17094Background: Incidence of irAEs has grown with increasing use of immunotherapies and can affect multiple organ systems: I+N followed by N maintenance is approved as front-line therapy for inte...
Exploring Baseline Concussion-Assessment Performance in Adapted Wheelchair Sport Athletes.

Context With growing awareness of and advocacy for including individuals with disabilities in sport, implementation of concussion-assessment and -management strategies is warranted. Limited research is available on concussion assessment in adapted wheelchair sport athletes. Objective To examine baseline symptom reporting, computerized neurocognitive testing, and a modified balance scoring system in adapted athletes. A secondary objective was to provide preliminary normative data for this population. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting University athletic training room and computer laboratory. Patients or other participants Twenty-one athletes (age = 22.1 ± 3.0 years) from 1 institution's collegiate adapted athletics program. Main outcome measure(s) Athletes completed baseline Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) and the Wheelchair Error Scoring System (WESS) before the start of their respective seasons. Symptom reporting variables consisted of total symptoms, symptom severity scores, and baseline symptom factors (eg, vestibular-somatic, sleep arousal, cognitive-sensory, and affective). We analyzed ImPACT composite scores of verbal memory, visual memory, visual motor processing speed, and reaction time and impulse control to determine neurocognitive function. Balance performance was quantified using the WESS condition and overall errors. Results Compared with normative reference values, 17 (81%) of adapted athletes reported greater symptoms and 20 (95%) performed at or below average on at least 1 neurocognitive composite score. Mean errors on the WESS were 3.14 ± 2.9, with 81% committing ≥1 error. Sex differences were not present for symptoms, neurocognitive testing, or balance measures. Conclusions Our findings provide context for baseline performance in adapted athletes and help to further develop the WESS as an assessment of balance in these athletes.
Challenges for the Newborn Following Influenza Virus Infection and Prospects for an Effective Vaccine.

Newborns are at significantly increased risk of severe disease following infection with influenza virus. This is the collective result of their naive status, altered immune responsiveness, and the lack of a vaccine that is effective in these individuals. Numerous studies have revealed impairments in both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system of newborns. The consequence of these alterations is a quantitative and qualitative decrease in both antibody and T cell responses. This review summarizes the hurdles newborns experience in mounting an effective response that can clear influenza virus and limit disease following infection. In addition, the challenges, as well as the opportunities, for developing vaccines that can elicit protective responses in these at risk individuals are discussed.
Young, Gifted, Black . . . and Country: : A Community Situated Approach to Analyzing Black, Rural Giftedness in Contemporary Nonfiction Children’s Literature

This article shares findings from a critical content analysis of five contemporary nonfiction children’s books. Each book centers on a gifted Black historical figure who spent at least part of their childhood in a rural setting. The analysis, using a funds-of-knowledge and community-cultural-wealth approach, revealed the situated nature of the child’s giftedness, including intersectional oppression they faced, various ways they enacted giftedness within their rural setting, and a reciprocal relationship with their community. In each book, the youth’s giftedness was supported by the community but also positively impacted the community.
Creating Guardians or Warriors? Examining the Effects of Non-Stress Training on Policing Outcomes:

High-profile fatal police shootings of persons of color in recent years have led some to propose changes in the ways that police officers are trained to reduce violence in interactions between offi...
Theoretical Analysis of Power Loss Reduction for Typical Power Grid

Line loss is an important criterion for evaluating economic operation level of power grid. This paper takes EZ Power Grid as a typical example and points out some of its general problems that are also common problems in current power grid. The evaluation method for power loss reduction are introduced, including economic operation for transformers and power lines, evaluation method for transformers and power lines, power saving after transformation of main transformers, reactive power compensation devices and power lines. Then, based on the analysis of EZ Power Grid operating data, evaluation of power loss reduction is mentioned. Finally, some suggestions to reduce power loss in EZ Power Grid are put forward, which can also be used for references by other regions.
Printability characterization of graphene-reinforced cementitious composites

The cement-based additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D concrete printing, facilitates the use of advanced cementitious materials in construction as this construction technique minimizes waste and enables the optimal placement of the material. 3D printable cementitious mixtures should have specific consistency for successful manufacturing. In particular, they should be extruded smoothly during the printing process while maintain their shape after deposition, both of which are closely related to the rheological properties of cementitious mixture. The use of graphene in cementitious composites has been widely explored in recent years and it was shown that graphene can improve the mechanical properties and durability of cementitious composites. However, the rheological properties and printability characteristics of graphene-reinforced cementitious materials still remain underexplored. This study investigates the effects of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on rheological and printability characteristics of GNP-reinforced cementitious composites. GNPs are added into cementitious mixtures, designed for 3D concrete printing applications, at concentration of 0%, 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, and 0.25% by weight of cement. GNPs are first dispersed into water through the help of ultrasonic treatment and a polycarboxylate-based superplasticizer. The dispersion quality of GNPs is assessed through UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Then, the rheological properties of GNP-reinforced mortar composites are studied using a shear rheometer via stress-growth tests, shear rate ramp up-down tests, and structural recovery tests.
Field Sports Throwing Injuries

While injuries to track and field throwing athletes are less common, these athletes are susceptible to injuries throughout the entire body. As such, it is important to understand the biomechanics, common injuries, and preventative measures to ensure career longevity and optimal throwing performance.
Long-term effects of stress resilience: Hippocampal neuroinflammation and behavioral approach in male rats.

Resilience to stress is the ability to quickly adapt to adversity. There is evidence that exposure to prolonged stress triggers neuroinflammation what produces individual differences in stress vulnerability. However, the relationship between stress resilience, neuroinflammation, and depressive-like behaviors remains unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term effects of social defeat stress (SDS) on neuroinflammation in the hippocampus and depressive-like behaviors. Male rats were subjected to the SDS paradigm. Social interaction was analyzed 1 and 2 weeks after ending the SDS to determine which animals were susceptible or resilient to stress. Neuroinflammation markers glial fibrillary acidic protein, ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1, and elevated membrane permeability in astrocytes and microglia, as well as depressive-like behaviors in the sucrose preference test and forced swim test were evaluated in all rats. One week after SDS, resilient rats increased their sucrose preference, and time spent in the floating behavior decreased in the forced swim test compared to susceptible rats. Surprisingly, resilient rats became susceptible to stress, and presented neuroinflammation 2 weeks after SDS. These findings suggest that SDS-induced hippocampal neuroinflammation persists in post-stress stages, regardless of whether rats were initially resilient or not. Our study opens a new approach to understanding the neurobiology of stress resilience.
Autonomous angles-only multitarget tracking for spacecraft swarms

Abstract This paper presents a new algorithm for autonomous multitarget tracking of resident space objects using optical angles-only measurements from a spaceborne observer. To enable autonomous angles-only navigation of spacecraft swarms, observers must identify and track multiple known or unknown target space objects in view, without reliance on a-priori relative orbit knowledge. Extremely high tracking precision is necessary despite low measurement frequencies and limited computational resources. The new ’Spacecraft Angles-only MUltitarget tracking System’ (SAMUS) algorithm has been developed to meet these objectives and constraints. It combines domain-specific modeling of target kinematics with multi-hypothesis techniques to autonomously track multiple unknown targets using only sequential camera images. A measurement transform ensures that target motion in the observer reference frame follows a consistent parametric model; curve fitting is used to predict track behavior; and kinematic track gating and scoring criteria improve the efficiency and accuracy of the multi-hypothesis approach. Monte Carlo testing with high-fidelity simulations demonstrates close to 100% data association precision and high recall across a range of multi-spacecraft formations, in both near-circular and eccentric orbits. Tracking is maintained in the presence of eclipse periods, significant measurement noise, and partially known swarm maneuvers. A comparison to other tracking algorithms reveals strong advantages in precision, robustness and computation time, crucial for spaceborne angles-only navigation.