cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Financial Transparency and Corporate Governance

In the literature of corporate governance, a great deal has been written about the variety of factors that may have helped American industry to remain/become competitive. Some relate to the workings of the board, e.g., independent directors, others to markets, e.g., takeovers, and of course others to shareholder activism. Very little attention, however, has been given to the enormous impact of the accounting and disclosure mandates that are unique to the U.S., and which have played such a large role not just in making financial markets more efficient but in making management more effective as well. Almost unnoticed, good financial disclosure has become a corporate governance tool of the first order, effective, timely, cheap and (legally, at least) all but self-executing. The paper explores concrete examples of the impact of financial transparency -- in matters such as segment reporting and retiree benefits, among others -- and the relative backwardness of industrialized countries elsewhere. As has been said, you manage what you measure. In the U.S., we measure more and with more consistent detail across companies and across time than elsewhere. The issue is particularly important at the present time, when the SEC is being urged to accept foreign disclosure standards, in order to ease access by foreign companies to American capital markets.
On the Form of the Power Series for an Algebraic Function

(1919). On the Form of the Power Series for an Algebraic Function. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 9-12.
Studies on the Nutritional Relationship of Larval Aedes Aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) with Smittium Culisetae (Trichomycetes)

SUMMARY Axenic larvae of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, were reared singly on a sterile semidefined medium from which required vitamins and sterols were individually deleted. Trichospores obtained from axenic cultures of the fungus, Smittium culisetae (Trichomycetes), were added to the medium to infest the hindguts of the larvae. First instar larvae invariably became heavily infested from the original spore inoculum, but infestations were often not maintained in the subsequent larval instars. In some instances thalli attached to the external cuticle of living larvae. With the introduction of S. culisetae, larvae were able to attain at least one additional instar when reared without riboflavin, pyridoxine or nicotinamide. No such improvement in larval growth was noted with S. culisetae upon the omission of thiamine or Ca pantothenate. In the absence of sterols larvae did not develop beyond the fourth instar, but following the addition of S. culisetae, one out of 45 larvae pupated. Both the lipid extract and dead whole mycelium of S. culisetae are adequate sources of sterols for larvae, and larvae are able to utilize desmosterol, the predominant sterol in Smittium spp. Sparse free mycelial growth was evident in the medium in those vitamin and sterol tests where larvae demonstrated an improvement in growth; hence the free mycelium may have been serving as a dietary source of nutrients. It is possible that mosquito larvae growing under some conditions of nutritional stress may be provided with required nutrients through infestations of S. culisetae in their guts.
Universal nonequilibrium states at the fractional quantum Hall edge

Integrability of electron dynamics in one dimension is manifested by the nonequilibrium stationary states. They emerge near a point contact coupling two quantum Hall edges with different chemical potentials. I use the nonequilibrium bosonization technique to show that the effective temperature of such states at the fractional quantum Hall edges has a universal linear dependence on the current through the contact. In contrast, the temperature at eventual equilibrium scales as the square root of the power dissipating at the point contact. I propose to use this distinction to detect these intriguing nonequilibrium states.
Design and Implementation of Intelligent On-Site Error Calibration System for Potential Transformers in GIS

When on-site error calibration is conducted for potential transformers in GIS, due to the uncertainty of distributed capacitance, conventional test methods have the problems of boost difficulty and operation complexity. Based on the technology of inductance modulation after frequency modulation(FM)and years of on-site operation experience, this paper designs and implements intelligent on-site error calibration system for potential transformers in GIS. The composition and implementation scheme of the system is introduced, and the method of distributed capacitance calculation for tested potential transformers is proposed using low-voltage FM resonance. The structural design method of the programmable high-voltage reactor is given, and the hardware and software design methods of the intelligent inverter control power are introduced. Experiments show that the calibration system can calculate accurately the distributed capacity of the tested potential transformer, adjust automatically the programmable highvoltage reactor, realize automatically resonance boosting and error calibration, and therefore improves the technical level of on-site test and working efficiency.
Lost to follow-up: failure to engage children in care in the first three months of diagnosis

Loss to follow-up (LTFU) is a critical factor in determining clinical outcomes in HIV treatment programs. Identifying modifiable factors of LTFU is fundamental for designing effective patient-retention interventions. We analyzed factors contributing to children LTFU from a treatment program to identify those that can be modified. A case-control study involving 313 children was used to compare the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of children LTFU (cases) with those remaining in care (controls) at a large pediatric HIV care setting in Botswana. We traced children through caregiver contacts and those we found, we conducted structured interviews with patients' caregivers. Children <5 years were nearly twice as likely as older children to be LTFU (57·8% versus 30·9%, p <0 .01). Approximately half (47·6%, n = 51) of LTFU patients failed to further engage in care after just one clinic visit, as compared to less than 1% (n = 2) in the control group (p < 0.01). Children LTFU were more likely than controls to have advanced disease, greater immunosuppression, and not to be receiving antiretroviral therapy. Among interviewed patient caregivers, psychosocial factors (e.g., stigma, religious beliefs, child rebellion, disclosure of HIV status) were characteristics of patients LTFU, but not of controls. Socioeconomic factors (e.g., lack of transportation, school-related activities, forgetting appointments) were cited predominantly by the controls. Pediatric patients and their caregivers need to be targeted and engaged at their initial clinic visit, with special attention to children <5 years. Possible interventions include providing psychosocial support for issues that deter patients from engaging with The Clinic. Collaboration with community-based organizations focused on reducing stigma may be useful in addressing these complex issues.
Cost-effectiveness of undergraduate programs in dietetics.

Presented here is a report of the cost-effectiveness of traditional undergraduate programs and Coordinated Undergraduate Programs in Dietetics in six educational institutions which offer both programs.
Design and Application of Precise Electronic Gauge for Dimensional Changes in Films

AbstractA standard type of electronic sensing element has been assembled into a comparator type gauging assembly which permits differential length measurement of photographic films and film bose with a high degree of reproducibility. Repeat measurements on strips nominally 9 5 in. long show a standard deviation of 0 00006 in. (60 microinches). This is at least an order of magnitude more precise than limits set in ASA standards for pin gauges or optical comparators as used in this field of measurement. In the assembly described, 900 measurements per 8 hour day can be made to the precision indicated with nontechnically trained operators. The higher precision permitted detection of effects difficult to measure quantitatively with existing gauges. Contrary to general belief, coatings contribute significantly to thermal coefficients of photographic films. Thermal expansion coefficients were generally constant but humidity coefficients were often variable with change of ambient conditions. Oriented and crystall...
Real time bolt preload monitoring using piezoceramic transducers and time reversal technique—a numerical study with experimental verification

Bolted joints are ubiquitous structural elements, and form critical connections in mechanical and civil structures. As such, loosened bolted joints may lead to catastrophic failures of these structures, thus inspiring a growing interest in monitoring of bolted joints. A novel energy based wave method is proposed in this study to monitor the axial load of bolted joint connections. In this method, the time reversal technique was used to focus the energy of a piezoelectric (PZT)-generated ultrasound wave from one side of the interface to be measured as a signal peak by another PZT transducer on the other side of the interface. A tightness index (TI) was defined and used to correlate the peak amplitude to the bolt axial load. The TI bypasses the need for more complex signal processing required in other energy-based methods. A coupled, electro-mechanical analysis with elasto-plastic finite element method was used to simulate and analyze the PZT based ultrasonic wave propagation through the interface of two steel plates connected by a single nut and bolt connection. Numerical results, backed by experimental results from testing on a bolted connection between two steel plates, revealed that the peak amplitude of the focused signal increases as the bolt preload (torque level) increases due to the enlarging true contact area of the steel plates. The amplitude of the focused peak saturates and the TI reaches unity as the bolt axial load reaches a threshold value. These conditions are associated with the maximum possible true contact area between the surfaces of the bolted connection.
A Cancer Model

This chapter discusses a two allele model of colon cancer using two pathways to cancer: the CIN and Non CIN where CIN is the category of cells having chromosomal instability. The model gives a linear ODE system with six variables: three for the Non CIN pathway and three for the CIN pathway. The model is used to determine which of the two pathways is the dominant one that leads to cancer. To answer this question, the solutions to this system are approximated with a very careful error analysis. The key variables here are the rate of CIN and the size of the cell population. A simple algebraic relationship between these two variables is developed which predicts which pathway is dominant.
Systematic, Evidence-Based Review of Exercise, Physical Activity, and Physical Fitness Effects on Cognition in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Cognitive dysfunction is highly prevalent, disabling, and poorly-managed in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent evidence suggests that exercise might have beneficial effects on cognition in this population. The current systematic, evidence-based review examined the existing literature on exercise, physical activity, and physical fitness effects on cognition in MS to accurately describe the current status of the field, offer recommendations for clinicians, and identify study-specific and participant-specific characteristics for providing future direction for ongoing MS research. We performed an open-dated search of Medline, PsychInfo, and CINAHL in December 2015. The search strategy involved using the terms ‘exercise’ OR ‘physical activity’ OR ‘physical fitness’ OR ‘aerobic’ OR ‘resistance’ OR ‘balance’ OR ‘walking’ OR ‘yoga’ OR ‘training’ OR ‘rehabilitation’ AND ‘multiple sclerosis’. Articles were eliminated from the systematic review if it was a review article, theoretical paper, or textbook chapter; did not involve persons with MS; involved only persons with pediatric-onset MS; did not involve neuropsychological outcomes; did not include empirical data to evaluate outcomes; involved pharmacological interventions; or was not available in English. The selected articles were first classified as examining exercise, physical activity, or physical fitness, and were then randomly assigned to 2 independent reviewers who rated each article for level of evidence based on American Academy of Neurology criteria. Reviewers further completed a table to characterize important elements of each study (i.e., intervention characteristics), the cognitive domain(s) that were targeted, participant-specific characteristics, outcome measures, and study results. The present review resulted in 26 studies on the effects of exercise, physical activity, and physical fitness on cognition in persons with MS. This included 1 Class I study, 3 Class II studies, 8 Class III studies, and 14 Class IV studies. Of the 26 total studies, 6 were randomized controlled trials. Overall, there is conflicting evidence for the effects of exercise on cognition in MS, and overall positive, but not definitive evidence for the effects of physical activity and physical fitness, respectively, on cognition in this population. Collectively, there is insufficient well-designed research to definitively conclude that exercise, physical activity, and physical fitness are effective for improving cognition in MS. This is based, in part, on methodological issues of Class I and II studies, such as inclusion of cognition as a secondary outcome (35 % of reviewed studies), poorly-developed exercise interventions, and paucity of research that included cognitively-impaired MS samples. However, promising evidence from Class III and Class IV studies may be useful for informing the development of better intervention research.
“Married widowhood”: Maintaining couplehood when one spouse is living in a nursing home

When a marital partner moves to a nursing home, how do community‐dwelling spouses, labeled “married widows,” adapt and cope with changes in the relationship and their own marital roles? The first goal of this study was to explore the role additions and deletions for community‐based wives whose husbands moved to a nursing home. The second goal was to examine how these women discursively represent their own self‐identity and the relationship they have with their husband who is living in a nursing home. Data were drawn from in‐depth, face‐to‐face interviews with 21 wives whose husbands resided in a nursing home. A qualitative/interpretive method was used to analyze role changes, and wives’ experiences were coded into the three couplehood categories. The Kaplan et al. (1995) “typology of couplehood” was used to categorize the perceptions of these wives in terms of feelings of: (a) no couplehood, (b) low couplehood, and (c) high couplehood. Results revealed instrumental and social roles that were added and cha...
Ethical Issues in Conducting Research with Pediatric and Clinical Child Populations in Applied Settings

Over and beyond the general ethical principles with which all psychologists should be thoroughly familiar (American Psychological Assoication, 1992; Canter, Bennett, Jones, & Nagy, 1994), research with pediatric and clinical child populations raises special ethical problems that challenge investigators to develop special strategies in order to conduct their research in a responsible manner. The work described in this chapter, which is based on research experiences in hospital, school, and clinic settings, describes a number of knotty ethical problems that have not been well articulated in previous work. These issues include considerations in working with groups that are charged with the oversight of research ethics in clinical settings, problems related to confidentiality of data, obtaining appropriate consent, managing risk-related to psychological vulnerability, for example, depression in adolescents, and maintaining appropriate role boundaries as researchers in clinical settings. Using illustrations from research with varied populations of children and families, we describe a number of ethical issues that have arisen in data collection in clinical settings and consider strategies to manage them. Our aim is to help researchers to anticipate and prevent ethical problems wherever possible and to provide suggestions concerning how their impact on families can be minimized.
Facile Synthesis of Tough Double Network Hydrogel

In this paper, a facile and novel method was developed to fabricate high toughness and stiffness double network hydrogels made of ionical-linked natural hydrogel and synthetic hydrogel. The synthetic hydrogel network is formed firstly, and then the gel is soaked in the ionic solution to build second network to form double network hydrogel with high toughness and stiffness. Two different natural polymers, alginate and chitosan, are employed to build rigid and brittle network and poly(acrylamide) is used as soft network in double network hydrogel. The compressive strength of Calcium alginate/poly(acrylamide) double network hydrogels is increased twice than that of poly(acrylamide) single network hydrogels, and the Ca2+ ionically cross-linked alginate is the key to improve the compressive property of double network hydrogels as a sacrificial bond. However, the chitosan/poly(acrylamide) double network hydrogels exhibit no enhancement of compressive strength comparing to poly(acrylamide) single network hydrogels.
CAMELIDAE FROM THE COFFEE RANCH LOCAL FAUNA (HEMPHILLIAN AGE) OF TEXAS

Remains of three species of camels, Megatylopus matthewi Webb, Pliauchenia hemp- hillensis new species, and Hemiauchenia vera Matthew, were recovered. Megatylopus matthewi, has greatly elongated neural spines with swollen tips to support a large nuchal tendon. Pliauchenia hemphillensis is a medium-sized species, described from a skull with lower jaws and referred material. It differs from Hemiauchenia vera in larger size, larger and more hypsodont cheek teeth, lesser development of llama buttresses on the teeth, and deeper lower jaw ramus under M3. Hemiauchenia vera is similar in size to the Pleistocene Hemiauchenia seymourensis but has more primitive dentition, and may be ancestral to Pleistocene species of Hemiauchenia.
Socioeconomic status, perceived control, diurnal cortisol, and physical symptoms: A moderated mediation model

Social class is a robust predictor of health, with risk for disease and mortality increasing towards the lower end of the socioeconomic (SES) spectrum. While certain psychological characteristics, such as high sense of control, can protect low-SES individuals from adverse health outcomes, very few studies have investigated the biological mechanisms underlying these relationships. In this study, we tested whether sense of control mitigated the associations between SES and cortisol activity, and SES and physical health in daily life (i.e., number and severity of physical symptoms). Next, we tested whether individual differences in cortisol secretion would act as a mechanism by which SES and perceived control influenced physical health. In a large national sample from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) survey, we found that SES interacted with perceived control in predicting morning cortisol levels, cortisol slopes, number of physical symptoms, and severity of physical symptoms. Specifically, SES disparities in these health outcomes were more pronounced among individuals reporting low levels of perceived control than among individuals endorsing high levels of perceived control. Further, we found that a flatter cortisol slope mediated the link between lower SES and greater number and severity of physical symptoms for those individuals who reported lower levels of perceived control, but not for individuals reporting higher levels of perceived control. These findings suggest that perception of greater control may act as a buffer against the effect of low SES on health-related physiological processes.
Patterning corrosion-susceptible metallic alloys for digital image correlation in a scanning electron microscope

We investigate the self-assembly of gold nanoparticles on the surface of magnesium functionalized with 3-(aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane or 3-(mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane. These nanoparticles served as a speckle pattern for high magnification deformation tracking via digital image correlation combined with scanning electron microscopy. Controlling the pH of the gold nanoparticle suspension to a specific basicity passivated corrosion in magnesium and in three of its alloys to enable proper nanoparticle bonding and self-assembly. Magnesium was used as a model material as it is particularly difficult to modify for self-assembly because of its propensity to quickly form a thick oxide, hydroxide, and carbonate layer in the presence of oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide, respectively. Moreover, it corrodes in acidic and slightly basic solutions, further complicating the self-assembly process. Due to these difficulties, the successful self-assembly of nanoparticles on magnesium has not previously been reported, to the best of the authors' knowledge. This technique is potentially amendable to other corrosion-susceptible materials. Gold nanoparticles were self-assembled in a uniformly dispersed random distribution on pure cast magnesium, cast AM60 (Mg-6Al-0.5Mn), rolled WE43 (Mg-4Y-3Nd/Gd), and extruded ZE20 (Mg-2Zn-0.2Ce).
Are they for us or against us? How intergroup metaperceptions shape foreign policy attitudes:

We identify public opinion polls from other countries as an important form of indirect exposure to outgroups, and an important source of intergroup metaperceptions, outgroup perceptions, and suppor...
Online Reviewer Engagement: A Typology Based on Reviewer Motivations

Consumers who generate online reviews provide a vital information service for the buying public, influencing nearly half of all purchase decisions. This study focuses on factors that motivate online reviewer engagement (ORE). ORE is a contextually dependent psychological state characterized by varying degrees of altruistic and egoistic market-helping motives coupled with an individual’s intrinsic motivation to review when the needs for autonomy, competence, and social relatedness are fulfilled. Amazon.com’s top reviewer community, which uses a public ranking system to motivate, recognize, and influence reviewer behavior, provides the study’s context. Three reviewer types—indifferent independents (IIs), challenge seekers (CSs), and community collaborators (CCs)—all report altruistic motives; however, egoistic motives associated with rank and psychological need fulfillment vary. IIs fulfill autonomy needs by using the platform for self-expression, with rank exerting little influence. CSs view rank as a game...
Quality matters: incorporating water quality into water access monitoring in rural Malawi

ABSTRACTThe Sustainable Development Goals offer an ambitious plan to achieve universal access to water that is safe and affordable. This article uses data from 139 household surveys from 13 villages in rural Malawi and Petrifilm quality testing of 27 drinking water sources to highlight areas where the goals’ proposed monitoring framework might not fully capture water quality. Households make complex water decisions and sometimes choose to use unsafe sources. Households generally do not use water treatment but universally practise water storage. This article argues for improved monitoring to more effectively and accurately measure sustainable water access.
The anatomic determinants of conductive hearing loss secondary to tympanic membrane perforation.

Abstract Objectives Recent studies have introduced middle ear volume (MEV) as a novel determinant of perforation-induced conductive hearing loss (CHL) in a mechanism driven by trans-tympanic membrane pressure differences. The primary aims of this preliminary report are to: 1) correlate CHL with perforation size; 2) describe the relationship between CHL and MEV; and 3) compare CHL across a range of cholesteatoma involvement. Design A retrospective pilot study was performed in 31 subjects with audiometry indicative of conductive hearing loss, temporal bone CT scans, and no prior middle ear surgery. Perforation size and MEV were analyzed with respect to CHL in a cohort of 10 perforated ears with no cholesteatoma. CHLs were compared in 3 groups defined by extent of cholesteatoma involvement. Results Ears with large and small perforations showed mean ABG values of 32.0 ± 15.7 dB and 16.0 ± 16.4 dB, respectively. A direct relationship was observed between MEV and CHL for ears with large perforations across all frequencies, whereas this relationship for small perforations was frequency-dependent. Finally, a statistically significant increase in CHL was found across ears with increasing cholesteatoma involvement at 1000 Hz (χ2(2) = 9.786, p = 0.008), 2000 Hz (χ2(2) = 8.455, p = 0.015), and 4000 Hz (χ2(2) = 8.253, p = 0.016). Conclusions These pilot data suggest that greater perforation-induced conductive hearing losses may be associated with larger perforation sizes and cholesteatoma. The correlation between MEV and CHL may require additional study.
Ultrafast and broadband graphene photodetectors based on plasmonic nanoantennas

We present an ultrafast and high responsivity graphene photodetector that operates over a broad bandwidth from visible to infrared regime. Use of plasmonic nanoantennas as photodetector contact electrodes provides a strong concentration of photo-generated carriers near the contact electrodes. As a result, a large number of the photocarriers drift to the photodetector contact electrodes despite the short carrier lifetime of graphene, providing high responsivity levels. The photodetector is also designed to offer high speed operation by minimizing capacitive parasitics. We demonstrate broadband photodetection from 800 nm to 20 μm with operation speeds exceeding 50 GHz and responsivity levels as high as 0.6 A/W at 800 nm and 11.5 A/W at 20 μm. These results are the first demonstration of high-responsivity photodetection with such a broad operation bandwidth and high speed, enabled by plasmonic nanoantennas.
Pancreatic cancer incidence trends: evidence from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) population-based data.

Background Annual pancreatic cancer incidence rates have been increasing. We examine pancreatic cancer incidence trends by demographics and histologic type. Methods Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registries were available to assess temporal trends and pancreatic cancer rates from 1974 to 2013. Results Pancreatic cancer incidence rates declined between the 1970s and 1990s but increased from 1994 to 2013 among White males. Among non-Hispanic White and Hispanic males, the annual percent change (APC) in incidence between 1992 and 2013 was 0.84% and 0.73%, respectively. Rates also rose among White non-Hispanic, Hispanic and Asian females (APC = 0.81%, 0.56% and 1.23%, respectively) and even more rapidly among females aged 25-34 years (APC > 2.5%). Rates among Black males and females remained unchanged, but higher compared with the other racial/ethnic groups. By histologic type, the increases were greatest for non-secretory endocrine cancers ( > 6%), followed by ductal adenocarcinomas (∼5%) and adenocarcinoma, NOS (∼1.4%)-the largest histologic subgroup of pancreatic cancer. Rates for mucinous adenocarcinomas and poorly specified pancreatic cancer decreased. Overall, incidence rates during 2000-13 were higher among males than females [MF incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.28]. The IRR was >1.00 at all ages ≥ 35, but rates among females were higher at younger ages (IRRs 15-24: 0.66, 25-34: 0.81). The MF IRRs for most of the histologic types were elevated among males apart from solid pseudopapillary adenocarcinoma and cystic carcinomas (IRR = 0.22, confidence interval: 0.14-0.34 and 0.52, 0.41-0.65, respectively). Conclusion Pancreatic cancer has been increasing overall, but patterns differ by demographic group and histologic type. Many of the trends parallel changing prevalence of lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, overweight and obesity, and diabetes in the USA, particularly for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and improved diagnosis methods during the past 40 years.
Salivary Gland Tumors

This chapter will discuss the management of salivary gland tumors of the head and neck, with an emphasis on radiation therapy technique and published data.
Head and Neck Lymphoma and Sarcoma

The treatment of lymphoma is quite complex (multimodal) and requires accurate diagnosis including open lymph node biopsy with flow cytometry analysis and architecture. Unfavorable sarcoma histology—angiosarcomas, rhabdomyosarcomas especially of the alveolar morphological type, and osteosarcomas are devastatingly aggressive tumors with an extremely high incidence of distant metastasis. Chondrosarcoma may present as a slowly expanding mass of the laryngeal or the cricoid cartilages; treatment is surgical resection. Angiosarcoma is an aggressive vascular malignancy that often presents in the cutaneous scalp of older Caucasian males; prognosis is poor
The ‘New’ Heidegger

A discussion of new approaches to Heidegger evokes Heidegger’s own remonstrations against the passion for novelty in philosophy. When it comes to Heidegger’s interests in science and technology, epistemology and the philosophy of science, many philosophers of science and technoscience tend to rule out engagement with Heidegger’s critical contributions. More recent scholarship insists that Heidegger is a known quantity. Heidegger’s reflections on cybernetics and technoscience, however, continue to reveal insights, especially in connection with his former student Gunther Anders’ Obsolescence of Humanity. Brought to bear on current issues of transhumanism, technoscience and its history, as well as time and the prospect of death (the overcoming of which we eagerly anticipate), Heidegger’s thinking remains to be taken up as our own.
ANALYZING POWERS IN THE 3He(→d,p) 4He REACTION AT ENERGIES LESS THAN 1.0 MeV*

Publisher Summary This chapter explains the results of measurements of the analyzing tensors for the reaction at a center-of-mass angle. In one of the experiments described in the chapter, polarized deuterons are obtained from the Los Alamos Lamb-shift polarized ion source and tandem accelerator installation. The beam polarization is determined by the quench ratio method. The chapter provides schematic presentation of the experimental setup. The substantial degradation in energy of the deuteron beam together with the solid angle subtended by the detectors makes it necessary to correct the data for variations in energy and scattering angle of the detected particles. A computer program is written to integrate over the relevant distributions to calculate the expected experimental yields for given experimental parameters and the experimental values are corrected.
A Novel Deep Learning Framework on Brain Functional Networks for Early MCI Diagnosis

Although alternations of brain functional networks (BFNs) derived from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) have been considered as promising biomarkers for early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis, it is still challenging to perform individualized diagnosis, especially at the very early stage of preclinical stage of AD, i.e., early mild cognitive impairment (eMCI). Recently, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) show powerful ability in computer vision and image analysis applications, but there is still a gap for directly applying CNNs to rs-fMRI-based disease diagnosis. In this paper, we propose a novel multiple-BFN-based 3D CNN framework that can automatically and deeply learn complex, high-level, hierarchical diagnostic features from various independent component analysis-derived BFNs. More importantly, the embedded features of different BFNs could comprehensively support each other towards a more accurate eMCI diagnosis in a unified model. The performance of the proposed method is validated by a large-sample, multisite, rigorously controlled publicly accessible dataset. The proposed framework can also be conveniently and straightforwardly applied to individualized diagnosis of various neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Implementation Research in Healthcare: A Case Study in Canada

In this paper we concentrate on healthcare initiatives in the UK, USA and Canada that involve a network of players that aim to improve service delivery and we focus on issues associated with knowle...
Daniel Ruge: the first neurosurgeon to serve as physician to the president

The role of chief White House physician has traditionally been held by an individual with a background in a broad medical field, such as emergency medicine, family medicine, or internal medicine. Dr. Daniel Ruge, who served as the director of the Spinal Cord Injury Service for the Veterans Administration and was appointed during President Ronald Reagan's first term, was the first neurosurgeon to become the chief White House physician. Aside from being the first neurosurgeon to serve in this capacity, Dr. Ruge also stands apart from others who have held this esteemed position because of how he handled Reagan's care after an attempt was made on the then-president's life. Instead of calling upon leading medical authorities of the time to care for the president, Dr. Ruge instead decided that Reagan should be treated as any trauma patient would be treated. Dr. Ruge's actions after the assassination attempt on President Reagan resulted in the rapid, smooth recovery of the then-president. Daniel Ruge's background, his high-profile roles and heavy responsibilities, and his critical decision-making are characteristics that make his role in the history of medicine and of neurosurgery unique.
Optimierung der Aeroakustik am Beispiel des VW Polo

Letztere werden auch unter dem Begriff „Aeroakustik“ zusammengefasst und sollen in diesem Beitrag naher betrachtet werden. Wahrend die Antriebs- und Abrollgerausche bei geringen Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeiten den gesamten Frequenzbereich dominieren, wachst der Anteil der Windgerausche mit steigender Geschwindigkeit rapide an, da die Schallintensitaten der aeroakustischen Quellen, abhangig vom Quelltyp, mit der vierten bis achten Potenz der Geschwindigkeit zunehmen. Die Windgerausche dominieren dann zunehmend den oberen Frequenzbereich, wahrend die Antriebs- undAbrollgerausche weiterhin einen wesentlichen Anteil zum niederfrequenten Bereich beitragen (Schutz 2013).
The CMUnited-98 Champion Simulator Team

The CMUnited-98 simulator team became the 1998 RoboCup simulator league champion by winning all 8 of its games, outscoring opponents by a total of 66-0. CMUnited-98 builds upon the successful CMUnited-97 implementation, but also improves upon it in many ways. This chapter describes the complete CMUnited-98 software, emphasizing the recent improvements. Coupled with the publicly-available CMUnited-98 source code, it is designed to help other RoboCup and multi-agent systems researchers build upon our success.
Emerging Role of Fluciclovine and Other Next Generation PET Imaging Agents in Prostate Cancer Management

Prostate cancer recurrence after definitive therapy is not uncommon. Recurrent disease is first detected by the elevation of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and may often be radiographically occult. The use of molecular imaging for the localization and staging of recurrent prostate cancer is promising. 18F-Fluciclovine is a synthetic amino acid analog positron emission tomography (PET) tracer which has demonstrated great utility in the evaluation of patients with suspected recurrence disease. Other newer PET tracers such 68Ga/18F-PSMA-ligands are being investigated for prostate imaging with promising results. The purpose of this article is to review the emerging role of fluciclovine in clinical practice for patients with prostate cancer. Since the approval of fluciclovine by the Food and Drug Administration, the modality is widely used in the USA for patients with suspect disease recurrence. With the coming approval of newer generation of PET tracers, it is important to understand the unique mechanism of action and the diagnostic performance of fluciclovine PET/CT in prostate cancer imaging to allow better allocation of the radiotracers. This review article provides a broad literature review of the current and the future potential role of fluciclovine PET/CT in prostate cancer imaging.
The Predictive Capacity of the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test After Sport-Related Concussion in Adolescents.

The Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT) identifies the heart rate threshold (HRt) of exercise tolerance in concussed patients. A previous study found that an absolute HRt of 30 days) from sport-related concussion (SRC). In this study, we assessed the relationship of ΔHR (difference between resting HR and HRt) and recovery from SRC. Using a retrospective cohort design, we compared acutely ( 30 days) in RG (p = 0.01) and PG (p = 0.04). A ΔHR of ≤50 bpm on the BCTT is 73% sensitive and 78% specific for predicting prolonged recovery in concussed adolescents who were prescribed the current standard of care (i.e., cognitive and physical rest).
What Role Does Mathematics Play in Accounting Performance? - A Focus on Students' Beliefs and Attitudes

Many colleges require accounting majors to take some math courses as prerequisite courses before they can take accounting courses – a common approach which seems to be accepted by many professors. However, it is unclear if accounting students have the same perspective. This study examined students’ attitudes toward mathematics, and beliefs in mathematics’ influence on accounting learning. It also explored how these two factors correlate to students’ scores in accounting courses. This study found that students believed that being good at math is a necessary, but not a sufficient, condition for performing well in accounting. Students who performed well in accounting usually showed a relatively positive attitude towards math.
Sex differences in subcortical auditory processing only partially explain higher prevalence of language disorders in males.

Abstract Males and females differ in their subcortical evoked responses to sound. For many evoked response measures, the sex difference is driven by a faster developmental decline of auditory processing in males. Using the frequency-following response (FFR), an evoked potential that reflects predominately midbrain processing of stimulus features, sex differences were identified in the response to the temporal envelope of speech. The pattern of later and smaller responses in males versus females is consistent with two of the three response features that track with language development and reading abilities. Therefore, here we analyzed subcortical response consistency, the third distinguishing feature of language ability. Furthermore, though the envelope is primarily a low-frequency response, the greatest sex differences were observed in harmonics encoding. To better understand these sex differences, we extended these findings to the temporal fine structure response, which is biased to high-frequency information. Using the same 516 participants as previously reported (Krizman et al., 2019), we analyzed the effect of sex across development on response consistency and the encoding of temporal fine structure, as indexed by the subtracted frequency-following response. We found that while males and females did not differ on response consistency, there was an effect of age on this measure. Moreover, while males still showed a faster decline in harmonic encoding, the magnitude and breadth of the sex differences were smaller (accounting for 2% variance) in the temporal fine structure response compared to the envelope response. These results suggest that sex differences are distinct, at least in part, from the differences that underlie language abilities and that developmental sex differences reflect subcortical auditory processing differences of both the temporal envelope and fine structure of sounds.
Energy-dense Li metal anodes enabled by thin film electrolytes

Next-generation, energy-dense, rechargeable lithium batteries require Li metal anodes that provide ten times the specific capacity of state-of-the-art graphite anodes. But, there are many challenges to the successful utilization of Li anodes, including high chemical reactivity and the propensity to deposit into non-dense, high surface area morphologies, which can result in dendritic growth and significant, associated safety hazards, such as short-circuiting and potential combustion of the liquid electrolyte. Solid-state thin film electrolytes have been used to address both of these challenges. In this review, we will provide an overview of thin film battery designs, highlighting the role of thin film electrolytes, lithium phosphorous oxynitride (LiPON) in particular, in enabling highly reversible, efficient cycling of Li metal anodes. We then discuss progress in thin film electrolyte compositions and vacuum deposition processing that has occurred in roughly the past 20 years. It will be shown how these novel electrolyte compositions and processing capabilities have been used to integrate thin film electrolytes with bulk Li metal anodes required for large format energy storage cells, such as those used in consumer electronics and electric vehicles. We end the review with a brief outlook on the outstanding questions and potential future research directions.
Gaming Democracy: Elite Dominance during Transition and the Prospects for Redistribution

Inequality and democracy are far more compatible empirically than social conflict theory predicts. This article speaks to this puzzle, identifying the scope conditions under which democratization induces greater redistribution. Because autocrats sometimes have incentives to expropriate economic elites, who lack reliable institutions to protect their rights, elites may prefer democracy to autocratic rule if they can impose roadblocks to redistribution under democracy ex ante. Using global panel data (1972–2008), this study finds that there is a relationship between democracy and redistribution only if elites are politically weak during a transition; for example, when there is revolutionary pressure. Redistribution is also greater if a democratic regime can avoid adopting and operating under a constitution written by outgoing elites and instead create a new constitution that redefines the political game. This finding holds across three different measures of redistribution and instrumental variables estimation. This article also documents the ways in which elites ‘bias’ democratic institutions.
“Esta batalla la tenía que ganar”: La metáfora, modalidad y el género en narrativas de cáncer

Los estudios de analisis de discurso ofrecen herramientas para revelar, desde la perspectiva del paciente, como se entienden enfermedades complejas como el cancer. Aunque varios estudios han arrojado luz sobre como se usa la metafora y la modalidad en el discurso del cancer en ingles, poco se conoce sobre el discurso sobre el cancer en espanol. Para descubrir como los pacientes hispanohablantes hablan naturalmente sobre sus propias experiencias personales con el cancer y cuales diferencias de genero existen en el discurso sobre el cancer realizamos un estudio de corpus de 50 narraciones escritas en espanol. Las narraciones provienen de un sitio en linea dedicado a compartir experiencias personales con la enfermedad. Analizamos como 25 hombres y 25 mujeres usan la metafora y la modalidad en las narrativas sobre el cancer. Nuestro hallazgo fue que las metaforas de la violencia y metaforas de viaje predominan en narraciones de salud. Notamos que los escritores usaron metaforas de la violencia para ofrecer consejos a los lectores y para retratar al cancer como un enemigo. Usaban metaforas de viaje para discutir su progreso y para ofrecer aliento a sus lectores. Descubrimos que las mujeres tienden a usar metaforas contra el cancer con mas frecuencia que los hombres. Finalmente, encontramos que tanto la frecuencia como los tipos de verbos de modalidad que usan evidencian la inclinacion de las mujeres a establecer conexiones y la tendencia de los hombres a ofrecer y buscar informacion.
The Treatment of Disability Under Crisis Standards of Care: An Empirical and Normative Analysis of Change Over Time During COVID-19.

CONTEXT: COVID-19 has prompted debates between bioethicists and disability activists over Crisis Standards of Care plans (CSCs), triage protocols determining the allocation of scarce lifesaving care. METHODS: We examine CSCs in 35 states and code how they approach disability, comparing states that have revised their plans to those that have not. We offer ethical and legal analyses evaluating to what extent changes to state policy aligned with disability rights law and ethics during the early pandemic and subsequently, as stakeholder engagement grew. FINDINGS: While disability rights views were not well represented in CSCs that were not updated or updated early in the pandemic, states that revised their plans later in the pandemic were more aligned with advocate priorities. However, many CSCs continue to include concerning provisions, especially the reliance on long-term survival, which implicates considerations of both disability rights and racial justice. CONCLUSIONS: The disability rights movement's successes in influencing state triage policy should inform future CSCs and set the stage for further work on how stakeholders influence bioethics policy debates. We offer thoughts for examining bioethics policymaking reflecting the processes by which activists seek policy change and the tension policymakers face between expert delegation and mediating values conflicts.
Centering Whiteness and Entrenching the Myth of Race-Neutral Alternatives to Affirmative Action

In recent decades, White plaintiffs have begun pushing back against schools’ attempts to rectify abysmal levels of campus diversity through race-based affirmative action policies. Students who did not stand to benefit from affirmative action began to seek legal relief against schools implementing such policies, alleging that race-based affirmative action violated federal constitutional rights to equal protection. In addressing these disputes, courts have required schools to first consider race-neutral alternatives to race-based admissions policies to achieve their diversity goals—in recent years, the standard has evolved into a requirement that no workable race-neutral alternative exist for a school to maintain a race-based affirmative action program. Such a requirement appears inconsistent with the overall goals of race-based affirmative action plans—how can a school which hopes to increase racial diversity achieve such diversity through non-racial means? In this Comment, I argue that the current jurisprudence on affirmative action in institutions of higher education rests on the continued centering of Whiteness, ultimately creating a doctrine which attempts to achieve a “painless” solution to racial injustice through prioritizing the need to ensure no race-neutral alternatives exist. Ultimately, this “painless” cure places a substantial roadblock on the path to true racial equity in higher education. By White centering, I refer to the ways in which Whiteness is prioritized and acts as the focal point for any discussion of diversity and racial equity—and, in this instance, affirmative action—with non-White interests fashioned as a lesser priority.