cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can Quality‐Oriented Firms Develop Innovative New Products?

Research suggests that a strong focus on quality improvement can adversely affect exploration and thus the development of innovative new products. The focus on quality improvement including total quality management (TQM) has been termed quality orientation. The literature suggests that one way to reduce the adverse effect of a quality orientation on innovativeness is to adopt ambidextrous or dual organizational forms. However, dual organizational forms are cumbersome and expensive to implement. This paper argues that a less demanding structural arrangement for developing innovative products in quality-oriented organizations involves the creation of cross-functional teams that are explicitly encouraged to take risk and granted autonomy. In this model, the two dimensions of innovativeness—namely, novelty and appropriateness— are treated separately because quality orientation and encouragement to take risk can have differential effects on these two dimensions. A survey of 141 new product development projects reveals that quality orientation does not adversely affect product novelty in cross-functional product development teams. However, encouragement given to cross-functional teams to take risk leads to more novel products. On the other hand, while a quality orientation improves product appropriateness, encouragement to take risk affects it adversely. Quality orientation is able to mitigate the adverse effect of encouragement to take risk on appropriateness. But encouragement to take risk does not influence the relationship between a quality orientation and novelty. Autonomy improves the positive effect of encouragement to take risk on new product novelty but does not influence the effect of a quality orientation on novelty. Both novelty and appropriateness enhance a new product's performance, and both these dimensions of innovativeness partially mediate the effect of quality orientation and fully mediate the effect of encouragement to take risk on new product performance.
Behavioral Economics Applied: Loss Causation

Current securities fraud doctrine applying section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 set a high bar for civil damages plaintiffs who must plead and prove both loss causation and transaction causation in order to prevail. Such a strict standard is not demanded by the law, given that the purpose of the Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Exchange Act of 1934 was to provide more protection for investors than had the common law of fraud. Nonetheless, the courts, especially the Supreme Court in Dura Pharmaceuticals v. Broudo, have chosen to impose this additional requirement. This Article examines the behavioral psychology literature, much of which is traceable to the work of Nobel Prize-winner Daniel Kahneman, in order to determine whether such a strict standard is warranted as a policy matter. As it turns out, there is substantial evidence that people often make less-than-rational judgments regarding causation, can be manipulated to find causation where none exists, and mis-assign causation. This evidence argues for a high standard for proving loss causation in order to protect securities fraud defendants from unwarranted liability. Yet, there is also evidence of a psychological tendency to “blame the victim,” which suggests that perhaps it is plaintiffs who need the law’s protection.
Optimum and suboptimum multiuser detection for diversity combining in DS/CDMA systems

In this paper we propose joint multiuser detection and packet combining in conjunction with an error control retransmission protocol to improve throughput in multiuser communications. Multiuser detection utilizes advanced signal processing techniques to demodulate the user's data by exploiting the structure of multiuser interference. Packet combining is an enhancement of the standard automatic repeat request protocol, whereby the erroneous packets are not discarded but preserved and combined with retransmitted ones to improve new decisions. Three schemes - optimum detection of combined packets and two suboptimum multiuser detection schemes - are suggested. Using the Markov chain theory we present a method for throughput calculation. It is shown that the obtained theoretical values closely agree with the simulation results. The proposed packet combining with multiuser detection is an adaptive scheme with considerably improved robustness and capacity.
The F-Box Protein MAX2 Functions as a Positive Regulator of Photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis

Light is vital for plant growth and development. To respond to ambient light signals, plants are equipped with an array of photoreceptors, including phytochromes that sense red (R)/far-R (FR) regions and cryptochromes and phototropins that respond to the ultraviolet-A/blue (B) region of the light spectrum, respectively. Several positively and negatively acting components in light-signaling pathways have been identified using genetic approaches; however, the pathways are not saturated. Here, we characterize a new mutant named pleiotropic photosignaling (pps), isolated from a genetic screen under continuous R light. pps has longer hypocotyls and slightly smaller cotyledons under continuous R, FR, and B light compared to that of the wild type. pps is also hyposensitive to both R and FR light-induced seed germination. Although photosynthetic marker genes are constitutively expressed in pps in the dark at high levels, the expression of early light-regulated genes is reduced in the pps seedlings compared to wild-type seedlings under R light. PPS encodes MAX2/ORE9 (for MORE AXILLARY BRANCHES2/ORESARA9), an F-box protein involved in inflorescence architecture and senescence. MAX2 is expressed ubiquitously in the seedling stage. However, its expression is restricted to vascular tissues and meristems at adult stages. MAX2 is also localized to the nucleus. As an F-box protein, MAX2 is predicted to be a component of the SCF (for SKP, Cullin, and F-box protein) complex involved in regulated proteolysis. These results suggest that SCFMAX2 plays critical roles in R, FR, and B light-signaling pathways. In addition, MAX2 might regulate multiple targets at different developmental stages to optimize plant growth and development.
Identification and treatment of metabolic complications in pediatric obesity.

Metabolic consequences of obesity including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver infiltration are rapidly emerging in the pediatric population. Identifying effective strategies for identifying and treating these obesity related co-morbidities in children are crucial to the prevention of future cardiovascular disease and poor health outcomes. This review discusses the pathophysiologic connections between obesity, metabolic disease and cardiovascular risk. Current evidence and recommendations for screening and treatment for the metabolic consequences of pediatric obesity are reviewed.
Far-from-Equilibrium Processing of Multiphase Ceramic Nanocomposites

A new far-from-equilibrium processing methodology has been developed to produce multiphase nanocomposite ceramics. The proposed method uses the following steps: (a) spray drying of commercially available powders to make flowable multicomponent feed powder aggregates, (b) plasma melting and quenching to generate dense and homogeneous metastable powders, and (c) pressure assisted consolidation of these powders to make dense nanocomposite ceramics. By controlling of process parameters, inherent superplasticity of these powders can be used to aid in densification process. In this article, results on multiphase zirconia- and alumina-based ceramics will be presented.
Response to letter regarding article, "reducing sodium intake to prevent stroke: time for action, not hesitation".

I appreciate your interest in my commentary on population-wide sodium intake published in Stroke . The letter by DiNicolantonio et al1 advised inaction rather than aggressive efforts to reduce sodium intake. Their piece ignores the public health reality that approximately two third of adults worldwide have either prehypertension or hypertension and that blood pressure (BP) is the leading cause of stroke and preventable deaths worldwide.2 It is widely recognized in the prevention community that drug therapy for hypertension, while effective, is a reactive approach and an incomplete solution to the pandemic of elevated BP and its consequences. A proactive approach that focuses on excess sodium intake, a key determinant of elevated BP, is warranted. As for specific comments, there are several issues that warrant a response. First, they dismiss results from …
A neural net for reconstruction of multiple curves with a visual grammar

A neural net has been derived for reconstructing a set of curves from ungrouped dot locations. The network performs Bayesian inference on a visual grammar, which serves as a probabilistic model of the image formation process, by means of a quadratic matching objective function. The steps involved in the derivation are: (1) formulate a stochastic grammar; (2) derive its probability distribution on images, along with the partition function which is a configuration space integral over both discrete and continuous variables; (3) change variables by exploiting the structure of the original grammar; (4) use mean field theory to derive an objective function whose optimization permits the approximation of averages under the distribution; and (5) introduce optimizing neural net dynamics, possibly after transforming the objective function to decrease the size of the network. >
A HARPSS polysilicon vibrating ring gyroscope

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and testing of an 80-/spl mu/m-thick, 1.1 mm in diameter high aspect-ratio (20:1) polysilicon ring gyroscope (PRG). The vibrating ring gyroscope was fabricated through the high aspect-ratio combined poly and single-crystal silicon MEMS technology (HARPSS). This all-silicon single-wafer technology is capable of producing electrically isolated vertical electrodes as tall as the main body structure (50 to 100's (/spl mu/m tall)) with various size air-gaps ranging from submicron to tens of microns. A detailed analysis has been performed to determine the overall sensitivity of the vibrating ring gyroscope and identify its scaling limits. An open-loop sensitivity of 200 /spl mu/V/deg/s in a dynamic range of /spl plusmn/250 deg/s was measured under low vacuum level for a prototype device tested in hybrid format. The resolution for a PRG with a quality factor (Q) of 1200, drive amplitude of 0.15 /spl mu/m, and sense node parasitic capacitances of 2 pF was measured to be less than 1 deg/s in 1 Hz bandwidth, limited by the noise from the circuitry. Elimination of the parasitic capacitances and improvement in the quality factor of the ring structure are expected to reduce the resolution to 0.01 deg/s/(Hz)/sup 0.5/.
A Test of the GARCH(1,1) Specification for Daily Stock Returns

Daily financial returns (and daily stock returns, in particular) are commonly modeled as GARCH(1,1) processes. Here we test this specification using new model evaluation technology developed in Ashley and Patterson (2006), which examines the ability of the estimated model to reproduce features of particular interest: various aspects of nonlinear serial dependence, in the present instance. Using daily returns to the CRSP equally weighted stock index, we find that the GARCH(1,1) specification cannot be rejected; thus, this model appears to be reasonably adequate in terms of reproducing the kinds of nonlinear serial dependence addressed by the battery of nonlinearity tests used here.
Numerical investigations of vortex-cylinder mechanism of interaction using LES and URANS

6, based on the cylinder diameter and the free stream velocity. The URANS approach fails to accurately predict the unsteady flow field due to excessive dissipation. The LES technique provides a promising tool for obtaining the unsteady wall-pressure fields, aerodynamic coefficients and the acoustic source functions. From the LES results, it was observed that presence of the vortex in the flow field causes an increase of Strouhal number. The influence of vortex-cylinder horizontal miss-distance on the aerodynamic coefficients was also investigated, indicating that the flow field will recover to its original state after similar time intervals, about 0.06s.
Ideologies of Language: Some Reflections on Language and U.S. Law

I present two U.S. court cases in which I participated as a linguistic anthropological "expert" to show how language ide- ologies of the law both influence legal outcomes and conflict with "scientific" ideas about language. One case was the murder trial of a young Mixtec-speaking Indian from Oaxaca; the other was a civil suit brought by four Hispanic women dismissed from an elder-care center for speaking Spanish on the job. I identify in the linguistic ideologies of both cases a principle of "referential transparency" that takes the essential business of words, regardless of the linguistic code, to be communicating propositional information. In the second case, 1 describe a further notion of "linguistic paranoia" in which speaking a language other than English is taken as inherently insulting or threatening. I relate these implicit ideological threads to the legal outcomes, to the restricted notions of potential "language rights" that might emerge from such ideologies, and to the clash between theoretical and judicial perspectives on language. (Keywords: U.S. law, language rights, linguistic ideology, expert witnesses, linguistic anthropology)
Vulnerability of sensor networks to unauthorized traversal and monitoring

There is a growing interest in the use of wireless ad hoc sensor networks to monitor, detect, and track the movement of specified targets in a geographic region. A common concern in the deployment of such networks is whether or not a target can pass or intrude a sensor field without being detected. Recent papers in the literature have defined a measure called exposure to quantify the likelihood of a target passing through a sensor field without being detected. These papers differ in the definition of exposure. Also, the existing definitions of exposure are indicators of the likelihood of intrusion and not a direct measure of it. We directly work with probability of detection instead of its indicators. We also probabilistically account for the presence of noise in the sensor readings. In the presence of noise, there is a trade off between the probability of a target passing through a sensor field without detection and the false alarm probability (i.e., the probability of falsely detecting the presence of target). We analytically characterize this trade off and illustrate the trade off for example deployments. We also introduce a variant of the traversal problem called unauthorized monitoring. This problem is of interest if sensor fields are used to secure an asset. We analytically characterize the probability of detecting unauthorized monitoring. We also show a trade off between this probability and the corresponding false alarm probability in the presence of noise.
Connecting Informal and Formal Learning Experiences in the Age of Participatory Media

The renaissance stimulated by the World Wide Web is generating multiple formats and channels of communication and creativity. These include blogs, wikis, instant messaging, and texting in the realm of writing, podcasting in audio, countless sites such as Flickr for distribution and sharing of images, and video shared via YouTube and other sites. The Pew Internet and American Life project reports that the majority of all teens are now engaged in active creation of online content. The rise of social media reflects new opportunities and outlets for creativity.
Two-particle, two-hole Jπ=0+ states in 40Ca

Abstract Excited Jπ=0+ states in 40Ca have been identified by the observation of L=0 angular distributions in the 38Ar(τ, n) 40Ca reaction. Strong transitions are observed to the ground state, the known 2p–2h at 9.38 (T=1) and 11.98 MeV (T=2), and to states at 8.28 and 10.65 MeV. The strongest excited-state transition is to the 8.28 MeV state, which we identify as the 2p–2h T=0 state. The Jπ=0+ state at 7.30 MeV which has been suggested as the 2p–2h T=0 state is not observed.
The Rural-Urban Gradient and Life Expectancy in the United States, 1970–1990

Life expectancy is arguably the single most important indicator of the general health of a population (Lamb and Siegel 2004) and it has long been documented that variations in life expectancy exist among the broad geographic divisions within the United States, as well as among individual states (Dublin et al. 1949; Glover 1921; James and Cossman 2006; Oosse 2003). However, until the work of Swanson and Stockwell (1986), virtually nothing was known about sub-state variations. Using regression analysis, Swanson and Stockwell (1986) examined life expectancy in 1930 and 1980 in Ohio and found that while differences narrowed between 1930 and 1980, significant geographic variations in life expectancy persisted. Subsequent work by Swanson et al. (2009) found significant variations for the U.S. as a whole.
Hexa-μ-chlorido-hexa­chlorido(η6-hexa­methyl­benzene)trialuminium(III)lanthanum(III) benzene solvate

In the title compound, [Al3LaCl12(C12H18)]·C6H6, all mol­ecules are located on a mirror plane. Three chloridoaluminate groups and a hexa­methyl­benzene mol­ecule are bound to the central lanthanum(III) ion, forming a distorted penta­gonal bipyramid with the η6-coordinated arene located at the apical position. The hexa­methyl­benzene ligand disordered between two orientations in a 1:1 ratio is also involved in parallel-slipped π–π stacking inter­molecular inter­actions with a benzene solvent mol­ecule [centroid–centroid distance 3.612 (4) A].
Legislation and Racial Stratification: Using the Model of Racial Policy to Explain Racial Triangulation During the Apartheid Era

In this paper, I examine the role of policy entrepreneurs in fostering racial triangulation among whites, blacks and Coloureds as a consequence of Apartheid. Using a Model of Racial/Ethnic Policy I developed, I examine (a) initial racial/ethnic triangulation at Time A, (b) the actions of policy entrepreneurs in facilitating new (or maintaining existing) triangulated relationships via policy promulgation in South Africa, (c) descriptive outcomes of PE activity, (d) regime produced as a consequence of policy promulgation and the new phenomenon, and (e) the triangulated relationship created at Time B in the wake of the formal end of apartheid. At Time A, policy actors supporting racial stratification functioned as "policy punctuationists" charged with correcting inadequacies in extant policies regarding racial stratification. Their actions yielded a series of federal laws which effectively memorialized racial triangulation of these three groups for over 50 years. At Time B (the end of Apartheid), the actions of policy entrepreneurs yielded a "new order" which dismantled de jure segregation yet retained the de facto stratification of the Apartheid era.
Single-cycle pulse generation in photonic nanowires

Photonic nanowires exhibit broad regions of anomalous group-velocity dispersion and large effective nonlinearities allowing for efficient pulse self-compression. Experimentally, we demonstrate self-compression of 30-fs pulses to 2.93 fs, which corresponds to 1.1 optical cycles.
Sorption Selectivity in Natural Organic Matter Studied with Nitroxyl Paramagnetic Relaxation Probes

Sorption site selectivity and mechanism in natural organic matter (NOM) were addressed spectroscopically by the sorption of paramagnetic nitroxyl compounds (spin probes) of different polarity, TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) and HTEMPO (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl). The sorbents were Pahokee peat, Beulah-Zap lignite, and a polystyrene-poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PS-PVME) polymer blend representing the mixed aliphatic-aromatic, polar-nonpolar character of NOM. Nuclear-electron spin interaction serves as an efficient relaxation pathway, resulting in attenuation of the (13)C-CP/TOSS NMR signal for (13)C nuclei in proximity to the N-O· group (r(-6) dependence). In the natural solids the spin probes sorbed more specifically (greater isotherm nonlinearity) and had lower rotational mobility (broader electron paramagnetic resonance signals) than in PS-PVME. Titration with spin probe indicated almost no selectivity for the different carbon functional groups of PS-PVME, and little to no selectivity for the different carbon moieties of Pahokee and Beulah, including aromatic, alkyl, O-alkyl, di-O-alkyl, and O-methyl. In any case, sorption site selectivity of spin probes to NOM was always weaker than partition selectivity found in model solvent-water (toluene, hexadecane, anisole, octanol) and cellulose-water systems. The results indicate little or no preferential sorption in NOM based on functional group chemistry or putative microdomain character, but rather are consistent with the filling of pores whose walls have an average chemical environment reflecting the bulk chemical composition of the solid. This work demonstrates for the first time the use of paramagnetic probes to study sorption specificity.
TCT-786 In-Hospital Outcomes of balloon aortic valvuloplasty and percutaneous coronary intervention during the same hospitalization in the US

There has been resurgence in the use of Percutaneous Aortic Balloon Valvotomy (PABV) in patients at high surgical risk due to development of less invasive endovascular therapies. We determined the outcomes of concomitant PABV and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during same hospitalization
Microsystem with Alternating Thrombogenic and Non-Thrombogenic Regions: In Vivo Support System for Brain Imaging in Live Mice

Platelet activation and adhesion involve both positive and negative feedback control. The interaction between these two control mechanisms is not well understood, however, platelets are known to release both activators (e.g. ADP, thromboxane) and inhibitors (e.g. nitric oxide and protein S). To investigate the interaction between positive and negative feedback, we require patterned surfaces in which regions of activating proteins are next to regions with negligible activating properties. The creation of this type of surface has proven to be difficult. The main problems to be overcome are non-specific absorption of proteins onto the non-thrombotic region and rinsing away of the thrombotic proteins, particularly during the step in which platelets are stained with fluorescent dye. The thrombotic regions become diffuse and diluted, with indistinct edges. A 25 µm thick PDMS is spin coated over the silane glass slide. The slide is then masked with double-sided Kapton tape and exposed to a photo-initiator solution. The surface of the slide is then exposed to ultraviolet light and washed to remove retained benzophenone. FITC-labeled fibrinogen was dropped directly on to the masked slide, allowed to incubate for 20 minutes, rinsed and dried. Slides were imaged with a florescence microscope. Recalcified blood was dropped onto the slides. The result was fixed, permeablized, stained, and imaged. A clear region of fibrinogen was present on the region masked (from photo-initiator and ultraviolet) with the tape. Platelets adhered more strongly to areas of fibrinogen adhesion. Thus the slides provide a clear differentiation between a thrombogenic and non-thrombogenic region.
Effect of orchiectomy and ovariectomy on oxalate production, transport and excretion in rats.

AbstractThe role of sex hormones on oxalate synthesis by liver, transport by renal cortical mitochondria and urinary excretion was studied in adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Orchiectomy decreased the hepatic synthesis of oxalate whereas ovariectomy increased it by 10 per cent. Castration inhibited oxalate transport by the renal mitochondria uncompetitively in both sexes. Urinary levels of oxalate were unaffected after orchiectomy whereas ovariectomy resulted in an initial elevation in the urinary oxalate levels which returned to control values by 21 days. The results are discussed in light of recent data.
Comparison of Linezolid and Vancomycin for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia: Institutional Implications.

Objective Recent studies suggesting clinical superiority of linezolid over vancomycin in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia led to a change in our institution's clinical pathway/order form for hospital-acquired pneumonia, positioning linezolid as the preferred agent. Our objective was to assess the impact of this change within our institution. Design Retrospective electronic medical records review. Methods The analysis for this observational study included eligible patients admitted to our medical center between May 1, 2011, and August 31, 2014, with ICD-9 codes for MRSA and pneumonia. Included patients were at least 18 years of age and had vancomycin or linezolid initiated at least 2 days after admission and continued for at least 2 consecutive days. The primary end points were extent of antibiotic use before and after order form change and length of stay (LOS) and hospital charges in the two treatment groups. A secondary aim was to detect any gross discrepancies in patient outcomes such as treatment duration, mechanical ventilation duration, all-cause mortality rate, nephrotoxicity, and 30-day readmission between the two treatment groups. Measurements and Main Results Outcomes in 227 patients were assessed. Linezolid use increased 16.2% subsequent to the change in the order form. Although not statistically significant, the median hospital admission charge was $6200 lower in patients treated with linezolid compared with those treated with vancomycin ($25,900 vs $32,100). Hospital LOS was significantly associated with Charlson Comorbidity Index score (p<0.001), type of treatment (p=0.032), duration of treatment (p<0.001), mechanical ventilation (p<0.001), and intensive care unit admission (p<0.001). All-cause mortality favored linezolid treatment, and these patients were more likely to be discharged (shorter LOS). Conclusions Although linezolid use increased markedly with this pathway/order form change, no negative institutional consequences or unfavorable patient outcomes were detected, justifying the change in policy from these perspectives.
Convergence of the Bouguer–Beer law for radiation extinction in particulate media

Abstract Radiation transport in particulate media is a common physical phenomenon in natural and industrial processes. Developing predictive models of these processes requires a detailed model of the interaction between the radiation and the particles. Resolving the interaction between the radiation and the individual particles in a very large system is impractical, whereas continuum-based representations of the particle field lend themselves to efficient numerical techniques based on the solution of the radiative transfer equation. We investigate radiation transport through discrete and continuum-based representations of a particle field. Exact solutions for radiation extinction are developed using a Monte Carlo model in different particle distributions. The particle distributions are then projected onto a concentration field with varying grid sizes, and the Bouguer–Beer law is applied by marching across the grid. We show that the continuum-based solution approaches the Monte Carlo solution under grid refinement, but quickly diverges as the grid size approaches the particle diameter. This divergence is attributed to the homogenization error of an individual particle across a whole grid cell. We remark that the concentration energy spectrum of a point-particle field does not approach zero, and thus the concentration variance must also diverge under infinite grid refinement, meaning that no grid-converged solution of the radiation transport is possible.
Возможные Направления Расширения Безналичных Платежей и Ресурсной Базы Российской Банковской Системы (Possible Areas of Expansion of Cashless Payments and Resource Base of the Russian Banking System)

Russian Abstract: В работе приводится анализ текущего состояния финансовой системы и банковского сектора России, исследование вероятных сценариев их развития с точки зрения перспектив расширения безналичных платежей, а также оценка направлений развития Национальной платежной системы РФ и ожидаемых структурных сдвигов в финансовом секторе и экономики в целом в долгосрочной перспективе. Работа содержит сценарные расчеты перспектив финансового сектора до 2020 года в рамках официального долгосрочного прогноза социально-экономического развития РФ и на этой основе оценки основных параметров наиболее вероятных вариантов расширения безналичных платежей. English Abstract: The paper provides an analysis of the current state of the financial system and the banking sector in Russia, the study of possible scenarios of their development from the perspective of the expansion of cashless payments, as well as assessment of trends in the development of the National Payment System of the Russian Federation and the expected structural changes in the financial sector and the overall economy in the long run. The paper contains a scenario calculations prospects of the financial sector until 2020 in a formal long-term socio-economic development of the Russian Federation and on this basis estimates of the main parameters of the most likely options to expand cashless payments.
Public Knowledge About Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Demographically Stratified Investigation

The present study measured factual knowledge about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in a demographically stratified sample of the general public. Participants (n = 200) completed a 31-item true–false test regarding indications, procedures, and effects of ECT, rating their confidence in each answer on a 5-point Likert scale. The correlation between years of education and proportion of correct answers was significant. Proportion of correct answers and mean confidence did not differ by age or gender, but data suggest that misconceptions about ECT may be more prevalent among African-Americans than among Caucasian participants. Common misconceptions in the entire sample included that ECT is curative, ECT is painful, nausea and vomiting are problems commonly associated with ECT, and seizure induction is not an expected effect. Overall, participants indicated a low degree of confidence in their responses. Although participants answered dichotomous choice questions with a fair degree of accuracy, participants' low confidence in their answers suggests that ECT remains poorly understood. The paper concludes with general and specific suggestions made to improve public understanding of ECT.
Phase and spectral ratio discrimination between NTS earthquakes and explosions. Part I: Empirical observations

Seismic discrimination of small-magnitude ( mb 0.5 Hz) regional measurements. In this study we evaluate the most promising short-period discriminants, P -wave to S -wave phase-amplitude ratios and low- to high-frequency spectral-amplitude ratios, for a data set from the Nevada Test Site. The data consist of 130 underground nuclear explosions, one very large chemical explosion, and 50 earthquakes, ranging from magnitude 2 to 6, recorded at two broadband digital seismic stations operated by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. In contrast with much previous discrimination work in the western United States, the common stations and paths for all the events in this study allow the discriminants to be evaluated without applying propagation corrections, and differences between events can be ascribed to very near source effects. The source effects found to have the most influence on the discriminants in this study are depth for the earthquakes, and the source medium properties of gas porosity, density, and velocity for the explosions. The phase-amplitude ratio discriminants tested are Pn / Lg and Pg / Lg . Both show little dependence on magnitude and work better at higher frequencies and when averaged over the two stations. At 6 to 8 Hz, Pn / Lg discriminates all except the shallowest earthquakes, while Pg / Lg discriminates all but the high gas-porosity explosions. Low- to high-frequency spectral-amplitude ratio discriminants were tested in each of the phases Pn , Pg , Lg and Lg coda. The explosions show significant dependence on source material properties such as gas porosity. All the spectral ratios show dependence on magnitude and for (1-2 Hz)/(6-8 Hz), none performs well below magnitude 3.5. Of the spectral ratios, Lg -coda performs the best, at least in part because of its extremely small interstation variability, discriminating all but the low gasporosity explosions. The best discriminant performance is given by combining phase and spectral ratios. A sum of the logarithmic values of Pn / Lg , Pg / Lg , and the Lg coda discriminates all but two of the shallowest earthquakes. The source medium dependence of the discriminants suggests that discrimination performance differences between the western United States and other regions of the world may be due more to source property differences than differences in the regional path. Simply put, western United States discriminant studies differ from those in the rest of the world because of the lack of explosions in very high gas-porosity-low velocity materials outside of the Nevada Test Site.
The National Wealth–Income Ratio in Greece, 1974–2013

Can the rise of wealth–income ratios observed in rich economies be found in the case of Greece as well? This paper uses a generalization of a two-good wealth accumulation equation to estimate the evolution of the national wealth–income ratio, and finds that, similarly to the European evidence, the ratio rises from about 280 percent in the 1970s to about 500 percent on the eve of the current financial crisis. On average, during 1974–96, the saving-induced wealth growth cancels out the capital losses, whereas in the subsequent decade, 1997–2007, the balance changes considerably when the saving effect vanishes and the prolonged capital gains result in a rising wealth–income ratio. During the recession, income falls faster than wealth. The results remain robust to several alterations of the benchmark framework.
Outcomes to improve the diagnostic rate of diabetes and prediabetes

25.8 million (8.3%) Americans have diabetes, yet 7 million unknowingly live with the condition. 79 million (25.4%) Americans have prediabetes, yet 11% are aware of their status. Consequences of unawareness are unfortunate which leads to permanent organ damage. Simple awareness is an obstacle to disease state management and prevention. The study purpose was to determine the rate of diabetes and prediabetes in adult patients unknowingly living in a chronic state of hyperglycemia in a geographically high-risk population.
Aerobic Exercise and Cancer-Related Fatigue in Adults: A Reexamination Using the IVhet Model for Meta-analysis.

Background: Although the results of a recent meta-analysis using the traditional random effects model yielded a statistically significant standardized mean difference (SMD) reduction in cancer-related fatigue (CRF) as a result of aerobic exercise, a recently developed inverse heterogeneity (IVhet) model has been shown to be more valid than the traditional random effects model. The purpose of this study was to compare these previous meta-analytic results using the IVhet model. Methods: Using data from a previous meta-analysis that included 36 SMD effect sizes (ES) representing 2,830 adults (1,426 exercise, 1,404 control), results were pooled using the IVhet model. Absolute and relative differences between the IVhet and random effects results for CRF were also calculated as well as influence analysis with each SMD ES deleted from the IVhet model. Nonoverlapping 95% confidence intervals (CI) were considered statistically significant. Results: A statistically nonsignificant reduction in CRF fatigue was found as a result of aerobic exercise using the IVhet model (SMD, −0.08; 95% CI, −0.31–0.14; P = 0.46). The IVhet model yielded a SMD ES that was 0.14 (63.6%) smaller than the random effects model. With each study deleted from the IVhet model once, results remained statistically nonsignificant with SMD ESs ranging from −0.11 (95% CI, −0.33–0.11) to −0.06 (95% CI, −0.28–0.16). Conclusions: Insufficient evidence currently exists to support the use of aerobic exercise for reducing CRF in adults. Impact: Additional studies are needed to determine the certainty of aerobic exercise on CRF in adults. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(2); 281–3. ©2016 AACR.
Magnetic properties of Dy nano-islands on graphene

Abstract We have determined the magnetic properties of epitaxially grown Dy islands on graphene/SiC(0001) that are passivated by a gold film (deposited in the ultra-high vacuum growth chamber) for ex-situ X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). Our sum-rule analysis of the Dy M 4 , 5 XMCD spectra at low temperatures ( T = 15 K) as a function of magnetic field assuming Dy 3 + (spin configuration 6 H 15 / 2 ) indicate that the projection of the magnetic moment along an applied magnetic field of 5 T is 3.5(3) μ B . Temperature dependence of the magnetic moment (extracted from the M 5 XMCD spectra) shows an onset of a change in magnetic moment at about 175 K in proximity of the transition from paramagnetic to helical magnetic structure at T H = 179 K in bulk Dy. No feature at the vicinity of the ferromagnetic transition of hcp bulk Dy at T c = 88 K is observed. However, below ∼130 K, the inverse magnetic moment (extracted from the XMCD) is linear in temperature as commonly expected from a paramagnetic system suggesting different behavior of Dy nano-island than bulk Dy.
Cocaine and Striatal Projection Neuron Subtype Mechanisms

Abstract The striatum primarily contains medium spiny neurons (MSNs), which are the projection neurons of this region and are separated into two subpopulations based on their enrichment of dopamine D1 receptor (D1-MSNs) or dopamine D2 receptor (D2-MSNs). Each MSN subtype displays differential circuitry and has been shown to display distinct roles in reward and reinforcement behaviors. In recent years, using more refined techniques, an effort has been made to understand the specific role of these two MSN subtypes in cocaine addiction. In this chapter, we discuss the involvement of these striatal projection MSN subtypes in cocaine abuse and describe how each cell subtype is altered after cocaine exposure. From a molecular level, to neurotransmitter signaling, to synaptic plasticity, we review recent work that demonstrates differential and often opposing roles of D1- and D2-MSNs in cocaine addiction.
Typifications for Galactia purshii and G. volubilis (Fabaceae)

The pervasive difficulties encountered with studying Galactia in the eastern USA necessitate additional typifications to stabilize the taxonomy. Galactia purshii is lectotypified here as the earliest available but overlooked name for a fairly common species of the Atlantic Coast and peninsular Florida. Galactia volubilis is epitypified here since the characterization of the species has been limited by its lectotype being an illustration. A lectotype is designated for Galactia pilosa var. angustifolia, a form with narrow leaves here considered synonymous with G. volubilis.
DIFFERENCES INCREASING ABILITY OF MATHEMATICAL AND VISUAL THINKING APPROACH BETWEEN BRAIN BASED APPROACH LEARNING WITH EXPOSITORY ON STUDENTS IN MTs PRIVATE MEDAN INTEREST RATE

Brain Based Learning is a concept to create learning that is oriented towards attempting to optimize student’s brain potential. This study aimed at examine (1) Are there any differences in mathematical reasoning skills of students which are taught by Brain Based Learning approach and expository; (2) Are there any differences in the acquirement of students who are taught by Visual Thinking Brain Based Learning approach and Expository; (3) What steps to resolve the student’s answers related reasoning skills in each lesson; (4) What steps to resolve the student’s answers related to visual thinking abilities in each lesson. This study is a quasi-experiment research. The population of this study is all students of class VIII MTs Bunga Bangsa Medan. The first class experiment is given approach treatment of Brain Based Learning and the second class experiment is given expository approach treatment. In this research has been already developed several learning tools such as lesson plans and student activity sheets. The instruments are used to collect data in this study are: (1) the test of reasoning mathematic ability, (2) the test of visual thinking ability, (3) the steps of student’s answers related to reasoning ability, and (4) the steps of student’s answers related to visual thinking ability. The test is used a form of description that has been declared valid and reliable by the reliability coefficient of 0,84 and 0,86. Regression equations in the class of Brain-Based Learning approach is Y BBL = 35,47 + 0,75X BBL and in the Expository approach class is Y Eks = 24,68 + 0,83X Eks . Analysis inferential data is done by analysis of covariance (ANACOVA). The results showed that: (1) The ability of the student’s in mathematic reasoning application of Brain Based Learning approach is higher than expository approach. This is evident from the results ANACOVA for Fhitung = 8.3309 is greater than Ftable = 3.993. (2) The ability of student’s in mahtematic visual thinking in application of of Brain Based Learning approach is higher than expository approach. This is evident from the results ANACOVA for Fhitung = 6.7759 is greater than Ftable = 3.993. (3) the step of completion reasoning test is obtained who has answered correctly for Brain Based Learning class is more than the expository class and (4) the step of completion visual thinking test is obtained who has answered correctly for Brain Based Learning class is more than the expository class
Preoperative PROMIS Scores Predict Postoperative Outcomes After Primary ACL Reconstruction.

Background:PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) scores in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have not been fully described in the liter...
The Asian Continent: Its Origin and Evolution

The history of Asia can be seen as a collective history of several distinct peripheral coastal regions such as East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East linked by the interior mass of the Eurasian Steppe. It varies greatly across and within its region with regard to its ethnic groups, cultures, environment, economics, historical ties, and government systems. It also has a mix of many different climates ranging from the equatorial south via the hot desert in the Middle East, temperate areas in the East, and the extremely continental center to vast subarctic and polar areas in Siberia. It is further subdivided into North Asia, South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and West Asia. It is for this reason that people in Asia, though belonging to the same continent, have varied facial features and hair characteristics. For the interest of this book, ethnicities in Asia have been limited to South Asians, West Asians, East Asians, and Southeast Asians, as these ethnic groups represent the vast majority of patients seen for hair transplantation.
Relaxation of Some Problems in the Optimal Design of Plates

In this chapter we shall consider some problems in the optimal design of thin elastic plates. In recent years, these problems have received attention in connection with the broad possibilities of optimization provided by the variation of both the thickness and the elastic moduli of a plate.
Fuzzy Lead Time Management

Lead time management is at the very center of production management. In this chapter, we discuss the importance of lead times and effective management thereof. We also present selected work from the literature on lead time management such as lead time estimation, due date bargaining, scheduling and lot streaming.
Philosophy and SmartData

SmartData are to be our surrogates in virtual environments, responding to requests for our personal information just as we would were we in those environments. How could data possibly respond as we would? One might think that only intelligent agents can respond as we would, and thus, SmartData must be intelligent agents themselves—hence “SmartData”. One might infer, then, that creating SmartData requires creating intelligent agents, which requires identifying the nature of, among other properties, intelligence, agency, meaning, understanding, and consciousness. Accordingly, since identifying the nature of these properties is a project in the philosophy of mind and language, one might think that philosophy of mind and language should dominate the pursuit of SmartData, especially in the early stages. In this paper, I explore this line of reasoning, arguing that even if only intelligent agents can be effective surrogates, pursuing SmartData does not require identifying the nature of intelligence, agency, etc., and moreover, attempting to identify the nature of these properties would be a strategic mistake. I conclude by suggesting that philosophy of mind and language should play a limited role in the pursuit of SmartData nonetheless.
On the security of ballot marking devices.

A recent debate among election experts has considered whether electronic ballot marking devices (BMDs) have adequate security against the risks of malware. A malicious BMD might produce a printed ballot that disagrees with a voter's actual intent, with the hope that voters would be unlikely to detect this subterfuge. This essay considers how an election administrator can create reasonable auditing procedures to gain confidence that their fleet of BMDs is operating correctly, allowing voters to benefit from the usability and accessibility features of BMDs while the overall election still benefits from the same security and reliability properties we expect from hand-marked paper ballots.
Prospective study of plasma high molecular weight kininogen and prekallikrein and incidence of coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke and heart failure.

Abstract Introduction High molecular weight kininogen (HK) and prekallikrein (PK) are proteins in the kallikrein/kinin system of the coagulation cascade. They play an important role in the contact activation system of the intrinsic coagulation pathway, renin-angiotensin activation, and inflammation. Hence these proteins have been posited to affect the occurrence of cardiovascular events and thus to be potential therapeutic targets. Previous case-control studies have provided inconsistent evidence for an association of HK and PK with cardiovascular disease. Methods In the prospective population-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities(ARIC) Study, we used Cox proportional hazards regression models to investigate the association in 4195 middle-aged adults of plasma HK and PK concentrations in 1993–95 (linearly and in quartiles) with incident coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, and heart failure through 2016. Results Over a mean of 18 years follow-up, we identified incident cardiovascular events (coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke) in 618 participants and heart failure in 667. We observed no significant relation between HK or PK and cardiovascular disease or heart failure, before and after adjusting for several potential confounding variables. Conclusions We found no compelling evidence to support an association of plasma HK or PK concentrations with incident CHD, ischemic stroke, or heart failure.
Iterative Retrospective Recovery of Full Synthetic Aperture Data from Focused Transmissions

Retrospective Encoding For Conventional Ultrasound Sequences (REFoCUS) enables recovery of the fullsynthetic aperture (FSA) dataset from focused transmits while avoiding the drawbacks of single- and virtual-element transmissions. It was recently shown that a regularized inversion approach significantly improves the accuracy of the recovered FSA dataset over the REFoCUS method when applied to a walking-aperture transmit sequence. However, this approach becomes computationally burdensome when applied to walking aperture sequences on larger linear arrays. We present an iterative form of REFoCUS that improves FSA dataset recovery to better handle these cases.