cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential impact of contraceptive methods on seizures varies by antiepileptic drug category: Findings of the Epilepsy Birth Control Registry.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to determine whether categories of contraception differ in their impact on seizures in women with epilepsy and whether the impact varies by antiepileptic drug category. Methods Retrospective survey data came from 2712 contraceptive experiences reported by 1144 women with epilepsy. We compared risk ratios for reports of increase and decrease in seizure frequency on hormonal versus nonhormonal contraception, stratified by antiepileptic drug categories. Results More women with epilepsy reported a change in seizures on hormonal (28.2%) than on nonhormonal contraception (9.7%) (p Conclusion The findings provide community-based, epidemiological survey evidence that contraceptive methods may differ in their impact on seizures and that this impact may vary by antiepileptic drug category.
Some Results From ONR/NAVY Research Efforts on Remote Sensing of Sea Ice with an Overview of Future Research Directions

This paper presents some results of ONR/Navy sponsored research on remote sensing of sea ice. Progress in determining radar backscatter properties of various types of sea ice over primarily winter conditions is shown. Results of effects of snow cover on backscatter properties of sea ice are included. X- and L-band synthetic aperture radar imagery of sea ice are compared for selection of the optimum frequency for sea ice detection and classification of ice types. To aid in the selection of an appropriate SAR resolution for use on sea ice, SAR imagery equivalent to the 25 meter SEASAT-A resolution is successively degraded to 50 meter and 100 meter resolutions and the results shown for purposes of comparison. Finally, sea ice data from a four frequency passive microwave radiometer are displayed. The paper concludes with an outline of ONR’s future plans for sea ice remote sensing.
Trace analysis of ambient nitrocompounds by using 452-nm laser photofragmentation/fragment-detection spectrometry

Traces of selected nitrocompounds are detected by using one-color laser photofragmentation/fragment-detection spectrometry at 452 nm. Characteristic fragments, including NO, are detected by molecular-beam mass spectrometry and laser-induced fluorescence.
EUS-Guided Injection for Pancreatic Cyst Ablation

Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) consist of a range of pancreatic tumors that have different morphological, histological, and clinical characteristics. The number of patients with PCNs has increased over the years as a result of improved imaging. PCNs range from benign lesions with a very low potential for malignancy to those with aggressive behavior. The management of PCNs may be challenging since surgery or long-term follow-up is needed in most of the patients. An advanced age may further complicate the surgical treatment in some of these patients with high morbidity and mortality risk. Therefore, safe and effective minimally invasive interventions as an alternative option to surgical resection are warranted.
Hospital Postacute Care Referral Networks: Is Referral Concentration Associated with Medicare-Style Bundled Payments?

Objective To evaluate whether Medicare-style bundled payments are lower or higher for beneficiaries discharged from hospitals with postacute care (PAC) referrals concentrated among fewer PAC providers. Data Source Medicare Part A and Part B claim (2008–2012) for all beneficiaries residing in any of 17 market areas: the Provider of Service file, the Healthcare Cost Report Information System, and the Dartmouth Atlas. Study Design An observational study in which hospitals were distinguished according to PAC referral concentration, which is the tendency to utilize fewer rather than more PAC providers. We tested the hypothesis that higher referral concentration would be associated with total Medicare bundled payments. Data Collection/Extraction Methods The data represent a convenience sample of market areas that were defined by the locations of grantees from the ONC Beacon Community Program. Principal Findings The four most-used PAC providers accounted for an average of 60 percent of patients discharged from hospitals in the sample. Regression analysis suggested that higher referral concentration was associated with lower Medicare costs per bundle. Conclusions Hospitals that tend to use fewer PAC providers may lead to lower costs for payers such as Medicare. The study results reinforce the importance of limited networks for PAC services under bundling arrangements for hospital and PAC payments.
Generic Revision of the Holocystitidae of North America (Diploporita, Echinodermata) Based on Universal Elemental Homology

Abstract. The Holocystites Fauna is an enigmatic group of North American diploporitans that presents a rare window into unusual middle Silurian echinoderm communities. Multiple systematic revisions have subdivided holocystitids on the basis of presumed differences in oral area plating and respiratory structures. However, these differences were based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the homologous elements of the oral area and the taphonomic process; taphonomic disarticulation of the oral area formed the basis for the erection of Pentacystis and Osgoodicystis as separate genera, and Osgoodicystis is interpreted as the junior synonym of Pentacystis. Holocystitids show a conservative peristomial bordering plate pattern that is shared among all described genera. The peristome is bordered by seven interradially positioned oral plates as is typical for oral plate—bearing blastozoans. A second open circlet of facetal plates lies distal to the oral plates; five of these facetal plates bear facets for feeding ...
Hybrid Measurement Models for Technology-Enhanced Assessments Through mIRT-bayes

Technology-enhanced assessments (TEAs) are rapidly emerging in educational measurement. In contexts such as simulation and gaming, a common challenge is handling complex streams of information, for which new statistical innovations are needed that can provide high quality proficiency estimates for the psychometrics of complex TEAs. Often in educational assessments with formal measurement models, latent variable models such as item response theory (IRT) are used to generate proficiency estimates from evidence elicited. Such robust techniques have become a foundation of educational assessment, when models fit. Another less common approach to compile evidence is through Bayesian networks, which represent a set of random variables and their conditional dependencies via a directed acyclic graph. Network approaches can be much more flexibly designed for complex assessment tasks and are often preferred by task developers, for technology-enhanced settings. However, the Bayesian network-based statistical models often are difficult to validate and to gauge the stability and accuracy, since the models make assumptions regarding conditional dependencies that are difficult to test. Here a new measurement model family, mIRT-bayes, is proposed to gain advantages of both latent variable models and network techniques combined through hybridization. Specifically, the technique described here embeds small Bayesian networks within an overarching multidimensional IRT model (mIRT), preserving the flexibility for task design while retaining the robust statistical properties of latent variable methods. Applied to simulation-based data from Harvard's Virtual Performance Assessments (VPA), the results of the new model show acceptable fit for the overarching mIRT model, along with reduction of the standard error of measurement through the embedded Bayesian networks, compared to use of mIRT alone. Overall for respondents, a finer grain-size of inference is made possible without additiona testing time or scoring resources, showing potentially promise for this family of new hybrid models.
Loxapine versus chlorpromazine in paranoid schizophrenia: a double-blind study

Newly admitted paranoid schizophrenic patients (N = 68) were treated with either loxapine or chlorpromazine for up to 4 weeks. Mean maximum dosages were 84 mg/day of loxapine and 820 mg/day of chlorpromazine. Loxapine showed efficacy superior to that of chlorpromazine, confirming earlier retrospective findings. Adverse reactions were also less troublesome with loxapine.
Crowdsourced and crowd-pleasing: the new architectural awards and the city

A new system of architectural recognition, rooted in web-based design awards, is poised to impact city branding by redefining what constitutes popular architecture. This paper uses a qualitative discourse analysis of crowdsourced architecture awards, such as ArchDaily’s Building of the Year, to show how hierarchies of recognition are flattening, becoming more transnational and increasingly democratic. The production and consumption of recognition are tied to place branding by the idea of symbolic capital. It is argued that a shift is taking place in the fame that architects leverage to become the sought-after designers of our cities.
National Traitors In Chicano Culture and Literature: Malinche and Chicano Homosexuals

This article examines the literary representation of a treatment of homosexuality in Mexican/Chicano culture. In this study, Alvarez argues that this cultural treatment is rooted in the gender paradigm central to Mexican/Chicano culture: the narrative of La Malinche .
Regime transition and economic development: the question of “who’s on first?”

Local governments have long been concerned with economic growth and development. Some local governments take an aggressive, proactive stance on economic development, while others take a more incremental, reactionary approach. When economic development opportunities arise, the frequently asked question is “Who’s on first?” Is it the responsibility of local government to take the lead in promoting economic development opportunities, or should local government remain in the background leaving development activities to private developers? This article uses community power theory to examine the evolution of economic development in Wichita, Kansas and the roles played by the public and private sectors and their impact on the course of development activities. In order for a booster regime to be successful, the lead government must establish the legitimacy of the development effort with other potential members of the coalition. The lead government must establish a hospitable business climate and establish a commitment to support the infrastructure and service needs of developers. Coalition members must view the undertaking as a positive-sum gain.
Abstract 14876: The Association of Baseline Elevation at Various ST Points With Mortality in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study Cohorts

Background: Prior studies suggest that ST elevation at the J-point is associated with elevated risk of death. We sought to examine the prevalence and prognostic importance of elevation at various ST points in a large multi-ethnic population. Methods and Results: After confirming data harmonization, we combined ECG, demographics, and mortality data for 19,578 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) and the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) population-based cohorts. The average age at baseline was 56.1 ± 8.1 years and 56.2% of the participants were female. Participants were stratified by the presence of ≥1 mm inferior (0.5%), lateral (27.8%), inferior or lateral (29.3%), and inferior and lateral (0.2%) ST elevation (at the J-point, mid-point, 60ms after the J-point, and end-point). We utilized models adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, source cohort, BMI, education, heart rate, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, smoking status, diabetes, LDL, HDL, and aspirin and/or statin therapy. Inferior ST elevation at any ST point was associated with increased mortality (HR 1.94, 95%CI 1.32 – 2.84). In contrast, lateral elevation at any ST point was associated with decreased mortality (HR 0.88, 95%CI 0.81 – 0.95). ST-end elevation was more common and drove the association of lateral elevation with decreased mortality. The magnitude of association between inferior ST elevation and increased mortality was strongest when elevation occurred at the mid-ST or J-points. Although the prevalence of elevation varied among subgroups, no additive or multiplicative interactions were noted with gender or ethnicity. Conclusions: We found that asymptomatic inferior lead ST elevation is uncommon and is associated with elevated risk of mortality regardless of ethnicity. In contrast, asymptomatic lateral ST elevation at the ST-end point is common and is associated with lower risk of mortality.
Neck Swellings/Lumps: Midline Neck Swellings

Neck lumps occurring in children can be usefully divided into those occurring in the midline of the neck, discussed here, and those situated laterally. While it is very uncommon for midline neck lumps represent sinister pathology it is very important that these lesions are accurately diagnosed and treated by those with a specialist interest as the treatment of those children receiving initial inappropriate treatment can be very challenging.
Least Squares Problems

This chapter examines the linear optimization problem of finding the best solution to over-determined, underdetermined or rank-deficient systems of linear equations. The existence theory for these least squares problems is necessarily more complicated than the theory for nonsingular linear systems. Pseudo-inverses, perturbation analysis and a posteriori error estimates are developed. Successive reflection factorization is developed and analyzed for over-determined, under-determined and rank-deficient problems. The effect of rounding errors and the use iterative improvement are also discussed. Alternative factorizations by successive orthogonal projection and successive orthogonal rotation are presented next. The singular value decomposition is introduced, but its full development depends on a detailed knowledge of eigenvalues, which are discussed in a later chapter. The chapter ends with a discussion of quadratic programming problems.
State Law Holocaust-Era Art Claims and Federal Executive Power

Doctrines of judicial restraint in international cases take many forms, but they all have at their heart a concern about the proper role of courts, be they federal or state. This Article explores the proper role of courts in deciding state law conversion claims for art stolen or subject to forced or duress sale during the Nazi era. Many presume, incorrectly, that such claims must be precluded by separation of powers and federalism doctrines. This Article demonstrates the inaccuracy of such presumptions.Holocaust-era claims lie at the intersection of separation of powers and federalism doctrines, neither of which restricts the courts in this context. To explain, it is necessary to cover quite a bit of doctrine. Thus, this Article is divided into the following parts. Part I discusses the general roles of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the federal government, as well as state versus federal government, in regard to foreign affairs – historically and in today's globalized world. Part II specifically addresses Holocaust-era art claims by offering the history essential to understanding the Holocaust-era art problem. Part III discusses the role of judicial restitution in the United States in augmenting executive policy to restitute Holocaust-era art, regardless of whether claims are filed in federal or state courts. Part IV, with a special emphasis on one particularly problematic Ninth Circuit case, Von Saher v. Norton Simon Museum of Art at Pasadena, analyzes how courts, seemingly out of a misguided attempt to avoid intruding on foreign affairs, are misapplying state law time-bar and other technical doctrines in Holocaust-art litigation. In light of the emphasis in this Article on judicial restitution failures, Part V discusses present legal efforts to restore power to claimants seeking restitution of Holocaust-era art. Part VI concludes that it is essential for the Supreme Court to correct the judicial errors and reclaim the judicial role in Holocaust-era art restitution. If it fails to do so, neither Congress nor the executive branch is likely to come to the rescue given the present crises, which now absorb those branches' attention.
Imagining Enlightenment: Icons and Ideology in Vajrayāna Buddhist Practice

Iconography has been used to represent the experience of awakening in the Buddhist traditions for millennia. The Mahāyāna Buddhist traditions are especially renowned for their rich pantheons of buddhas and bodhisattvas who illuminate and inspire practitioners. In addition, the Vajrayāna branch of Mahāyāna Buddhism presents a host of meditational deities (yidam) who serve as catalysts of awakening. These awakened beings are regarded as objects of refuge for practitioners, both female and male, who visualize themselves in detail as embodiments of specific enlightened figures, female or male, with all their enlightened qualities. These meditational deities, which are mentally constructed and insubstantial by nature, are distinguished from worldly deities (deva) who also inhabit the Buddhist pantheon and may be supplicated for attaining worldly boons. This article explores the philosophical foundations of Varjrayāna Buddhist practices, the ontological status of these archetypes of awakening, and the epistemological process of visualizing oneself an enlightened being as a skillful means to achieve awakened realization.
The Effects of Paternalistic Leadership on Outcomes: The Moderating Role of Perceived Motive

This study examines the role of ‘perceived motives’ as moderators of the relationships between paternalistic leadership dimensions of authoritarianism, benevolence, and morality and two outcomes: (...
Intensive Outpatient Treatment of Depression in a Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 Patient.

Objective. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is but one subtype of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), each of which can possibly be considered a separate neurological condition (N. Whaley, S. Fujioka, Z. K. Wszolek, 2011). SCA is hereditary, progressive, and degenerative. SCA1 symptoms initially include coordination problems and ataxia. SCA1 can also include speech and swallowing difficulties, spasticity, ophthalmoplegia, cognitive difficulties, and even sensory neuropathy, dystonia, atrophy, and fasciculations. Literature has established that depressive symptoms can be exhibited with spinocerebellar ataxia patients regardless of type (T. Schmitz-Hubsch, 2011). While a higher risk for depression occurs with more severe SCA disease, successful treatment to mitigate symptoms has been documented (N. Okamoto, M. Ogawa, Y. Murata, et al., 2010). In this case a SCA1 patient with advanced neurological disease was enrolled in a psychiatric intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment program in the midwestern United States to address his comorbid depressive symptoms. This treatment option allowed a less restrictive environment while providing a more structured therapeutic setting and social support for the patient, much more so than that which is typically offered in a traditional outpatient setting. Case Report. A patient with relatively advanced SCA1 successfully participated in a psychiatric IOP program or depressive symptoms and benefitted from the program’s structure and additional psychosocial support. Conclusion. Awareness among physicians, particularly psychiatrists and neurologists, regarding IOP programs as a treatment option for comorbid depression in the clinical setting of progressive SCA or other neurological conditions can be beneficial to patients requiring an increased level of psychiatric treatment.
Chain algebras

Combinatorial formulae are used to solve a perturbation problem in linear operator theory. To accomplish this, the classical divided differences are studied as elements of an incidence algebra and Newton's interpolation formula is interpreted as a diagonalization process. This yields an algorithm for the divided differences of a product function and a combinatorial formula for the computation of analytic functions of elements of the incidence algebra, one consequence of which is an algorithm for the divided differences of a composite function. Connections with discrete Markov processes are discussed.
Empirical Performance of Tree-based Inference of Phylogenetic Networks

Phylogenetic networks extend the phylogenetic tree structure and allow for modeling vertical and horizontal evolution in a single framework. Statistical inference of phylogenetic networks is prohibitive and currently limited to small networks. An approach that could significantly improve phylogenetic network space exploration is based on first inferring an evolutionary tree of the species under consideration, and then augmenting the tree into a network by adding a set of "horizontal" edges to better fit the data. In this paper, we study the performance of such an approach on networks generated under a birth-hybridization model and explore its feasibility as an alternative to approaches that search the phylogenetic network space directly (without relying on a fixed underlying tree). We find that the concatenation method does poorly at obtaining a "backbone" tree that could be augmented into the correct network, whereas the popular species tree inference method ASTRAL does significantly better at such a task. We then evaluated the tree-to-network augmentation phase under the minimizing deep coalescence and pseudo-likelihood criteria. We find that even though this is a much faster approach than the direct search of the network space, the accuracy is much poorer, even when the backbone tree is a good starting tree. Our results show that tree-based inference of phylogenetic networks could yield very poor results. As exploration of the network space directly in search of maximum likelihood estimates or a representative sample of the posterior is very expensive, significant improvements to the computational complexity of phylogenetic network inference are imperative if analyses of large data sets are to be performed. We show that a recently developed divide-and-conquer approach significantly outperforms tree-based inference in terms of accuracy, albeit still at a higher computational cost.
Brain and blood metabolome for Alzheimer's dementia: findings from a targeted metabolomics analysis.

Abstract The development of Alzheimer's dementia (AD) accompanies both central and peripheral metabolic disturbance, but the metabolic basis underlying AD and metabolic markers predictive of AD risk remain to be determined. It is also unclear whether the metabolic changes in the peripheral blood and brain are overlapping in relation to AD. The present study addresses these questions by targeted metabolomics in both antemortem blood and postmortem brain samples in 2 community-based longitudinal cohorts of aging and dementia. We found that higher serum levels of 3 acylcarnitines, including decanoylcarnitine (C10), pimelylcarnitine (C7-DC), and tetradecadienylcarnitine (C14:2), significantly predict a lower risk of incident AD (composite hazard ratio = 0.368, 95% CI [0.207, 0.653]) after an average of 4.5-year follow-up, independent of age, sex, and education. In addition, baseline serum levels of ten glycerophospholipids, one amino acid, and 5 acylcarnitines predict the longitudinal change in cognitive functions. Moreover, 28 brain metabolites were associated with AD phenotypes. Of the putative metabolites identified in the serum and brain, 4 metabolites (3 glycerophospholipids [PC aa C30:0, PC ae C34:0, PC ae C36:1] and 1 acylcarnitine [C14:2]) were present in both the postmortem brain and antemortem blood, but only one metabolite (C14:2) was associated with AD in the same direction (i.e., protective). Partial correlation and network analyses suggest a potential tissue-specific regulation of metabolism, although other alternatives exist. Together, we identified significant associations of both central and peripheral metabolites with AD phenotypes, but there seems to be little overlap between the 2 tissues.
Soft matter and nanomaterials characterization by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy

Soft matter has historically been an unlikely candidate for investigation by electron microscopy techniques due to damage by the electron beam as well as inherent instability under a high vacuum environment. Characterization of soft matter has often relied on ensemble-scattering techniques. The recent development of cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) provides the soft matter community with an exciting opportunity to probe the structure of soft materials in real space. Cryo-TEM reduces beam damage and allows for characterization in a native, frozen-hydrated state, providing direct visual representation of soft structure. This article reviews cryo-TEM in soft materials characterization and illustrates how it has provided unique insights not possible by traditional ensemble techniques. Soft matter systems that have benefited from the use of cryo-TEM include biological-based “soft” nanoparticles (e.g., viruses and conjugates), synthetic polymers, supramolecular materials as well as the organic–inorganic interface of colloidal nanoparticles. Many challenges remain, such as combining structural and chemical analyses; however, the opportunity for soft matter research to leverage newly developed cryo-TEM techniques continues to excite.
Factors Associated With Rehabilitation Outcomes in Patients With Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with rehabilitation outcomes following vestibular rehabilitation (VR). Methods In this prospective cohort study, 116 patients who completed at least 2 supervised sessions participated. Patient characteristics and comorbidities were recorded. Initial and discharge measures included symptom intensity, balance confidence, quality of life, percent of time symptoms interfere with life, perceived benefits of VR, gait speed, fall risk, visual acuity during head movement, and anxiety/depression. Intention-to-treat analyses were performed to determine outcomes at discharge. Bivariate correlations between independent (group characteristics and baseline measures) and dependent (discharge measures) variables were determined. Logistic regressions were performed to identify factors associated with whether a patient would have a normal score or meaningful change at discharge. Results There was a large effect of VR with significant improvement for the group as a whole on each outcome measure. For each outcome measure, most patients improved. Based on preliminary logistic regression, 2 patient characteristics were associated with outcome: number of therapy visits predicted meaningful improvement in gait speed, and falls after the onset of the unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH) predicted meaningful change in the percent of time symptoms interfered with life. Initial Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and Dynamic Gait Index scores predicted normal ABC scores at discharge, and initial ABC scores predicted recovery of Dynamic Gait Index scores. Preliminary prediction models were generated for balance confidence, impact of dizziness on life, dynamic visual acuity, gait speed, and fall risk. Conclusions Therapists may use these findings for patient education or to determine the need for adjunct therapy, such as counseling. Impact Not all people with UVH improve following VR, but there is little research examining why. This study looked at multiple factors and identified number of visits and falls after onset of UVH as patient characteristics associated with outcomes following VR; these findings will help therapists create better predictive models.
Do instructing and adjusting information make a difference in crisis responsibility attribution? Merging fear appeal studies with the defensive attribution hypothesis

Abstract Guided by fear appeal effect theories and the defensive attribution hypothesis, the current study examined the influence of the threat and efficacy messages in instructing and adjusting information on crisis responsibility and organizational reputation. Study 1 adopted a 2 (high vs. low threat in instructing information) × 2 (high vs. low self efficacy for instructing information) × 2 (high vs. low proxy efficacy for adjusting information) experiment and revealed that the high threat message significantly increased the attribution of crisis responsibility and further harmed organizational reputation. The high proxy efficacy message in adjusting information helped protect the organizational reputation, however, the effect was not mediated by crisis responsibility. Study 2 replicated the first experiment using a different crisis and introduced fear to the research model. Conclusions in Study 1 were largely reinforced. Fear was observed to indirectly influence organizational reputation via crisis responsibility. The mixed results of threat and efficacy in instructing and adjusting information encouraged managerial considerations when organizations design initial crisis responses.
Schematism and Free Play: The Imagination’s Formal Power as a Unifying Feature in Kant’s Doctrine of the Faculties

The role of the imagination within Kant’s Critical framework remains an issue for any attempt to unify the three Critique s through the Doctrine of the Faculties. This work provides a reading of the imagination that serves to unify the imagination through its formal capacity, or ability to recognize harmony and produce the necessary lawfulness that grounds the possibility of judgment. The argument of this work exists in 2 parts. 1) The imagination’s formal ability is present, yet concealed, as early as the Schematism in the Critique of Pure Reason and reaches its fullest exposition in instances of harmonious free play in the Critique of the Power of Judgment. 2) This formal capacity is key to not only demonstrating the imagination as an original, unified, and independent faculty across Kant’s Critical framework, but also serves as grounds for the purposiveness of nature – a key aspect of Kantian aesthetics.
Pathway analysis of relationships among community development, active travel behavior, body mass index, and self-rated health

A higher Body Mass Index (BMI) is often associated with higher risks for health-related issues (e.g., arthritis, cancer). Lifestyle behaviors (e.g., healthy diet) are believed to be important facto...
A comparative study of experimental urinary catheters containing silver and zinc for biofilm inhibition.

Both commercial and experimental antibacterial urinary catheters were investigated for their efficacy in preventing planktonic growth and biofilm formation of Escherichia Coli bacteria in a synthet...
CEOs versus CFOs: Incentives and corporate policies

Abstract We undertake a broad-based study of the effect of managerial risk-taking incentives on corporate financial policies and show that the risk-taking incentives of chief executive officers (CEOs) and chief financial officers (CFOs) significantly influence their firms’ financial policies. In particular, we find that CEOs’ risk-decreasing (-increasing) incentives are associated with lower (higher) leverage and higher (lower) cash balances. CFOs’ risk-decreasing (-increasing) incentives are associated with safer (riskier) debt-maturity choices and higher (lower) earnings-smoothing through accounting accruals. We exploit the stock option expensing regulation of 2004 to establish a causal link between managerial incentives and corporate policies. Our findings have important implications for optimal corporate compensation design.
Healthy Places: Towards a Transdisciplinary Mapping of the Theoretical Landscape

This 21st century has brought robust attention to the role the environment plays in human health. This article offers a mapping of the theoretical landscape to help orient and potentially connect the diverse research conducted in the areas of healthy places. The premise is that much research has been conducted within the environmental stress approach to understanding the health-environment nexus, but that additional, important work has also been conducted within both a Fit and a Place approach that provide different insights into healthy places. Each approach has its own underlying assumptions regarding the relationship between human and environment, the research questions that should be asked, the type of validity valued and praxeological assumptions. Each approach also has differing affinities with various theories of health that may serve useful in connecting Healthy Place Research to interdisciplinary research endeavors. Here it is asserted that the concepts and models of allostatic load, salutogenesis and cumulative (dis)advantage hold great promise for connecting Healthy Place Research to robust fields of health inquiry.
Probing Potential for Cellular Stimulation by Time-Varying Magnetic Fields

Membrane pore creation by applying voltage pulses has been used for various applications including gene electrotransfer, electrochemotherapy, and tissue ablation. Electric pulse stimulation, however, requires insertion of electrodes into tissue, which may not always be conducive or convenient. On the other hand, time-varying magnetic fields can also induce time-dependent electric fields based on Lenz’s law and Maxwell’s equations, and thus be an alternative to creating transmembrane voltages across membranes. Pulsed magnetic fields would be a contactless, noninvasive technique allowing clinicians to affect any target within the body. This chapter discusses the concept of magnetically induced voltages, presents model results, with further elaboration of electromagnetic bio-stimulation.
Did COVID-19 Force a President to Face the St. Petersburg Paradox and Lose the White House? (preprint)

It is said that a strategy to contain the COVID-19 pandemic is to “follow the Science”. This paper argues that following the Science, although very important, is secondary to following the probability of infection or death, however small that probability might appear to be at a given time. Following the Science is difficult, because it takes time to understand phenomena; and there are many hurdles to overcome in order to effectively disseminate it to the people. It is far easier for a Leader to invoke the St. Petersburg Paradox (SPP) and, by being a Teacher to the people, disseminate the dangers of staking too much by ignoring small probabilities. The SPP, which has remained, for more than 300 years now, an important and unsolved problem in Economics and Philosophy, vividly, and simply, teaches us to not assume that we will emerge victorious when facing small probabilities. It is argued that a Leader facing small probabilities, generated by this most formidable pathogen, can mitigate a very large loss by urging them to pay the relatively small cost of taking preventative measures to combat the pathogen. In the presence of such small probabilities, Science can never reach the heart of a nation as effectively, and speedily, as can a Leader invoking the SPP. Although it is human to be impatient, a small probability can grow explosively in a short time, leaving unimaginable losses in its wake, if there is no Teacher to alert us to that fact.
High fill-factor two-axis analog micromirror array for 1/spl times/N/sup 2/ wavelength-selective switches

We report on a two-axis analog micromirror array with high fill factor (96%) and large mechanical scan angles (/spl plusmn/4.4/spl deg/ and /spl plusmn/3.4/spl deg/). To our knowledge, this is the highest linear fill factor ever reported for two-axis analog micromirror arrays. A 1/spl times/14 wavelength-selective switch (WSS) was also demonstrated using the mirror array. This is the largest number of port count ever reported for WSS. The fiber-to-fiber insertion loss is 8.2 dB. Switching of <2 msec has been achieved.
Similaritons: a new regime of femtosecond fiber lasers

We have recently demonstrated theoretically that similaritons can exist in a laser oscillator. Initial attempts to observe and exploit the self-similar regime of operation produced excellent results. A Yb-doped fiber laser designed to approximate the similariton regime produces the parabolic chirped pulses and unique sharp-edged spectrum that are the signatures of self-similar propagation. Optimum performance was obtained by slightly deviating from the self-similar regime, and 50-fs pulses with 5-nJ energy were generated after dechirping. These results represent twice the pulse energy, twice the average power, 5 times the peak power of the previous best femtosecond fiber lasers. In addition, the laser is probably the most efficient femtosecond laser: 240 mW output power is obtained with 500 mW of pump power.
Modelling and design of high efficiency radiation tolerant indium phosphide space solar cells

Using a fairly comprehensive model, a parametric variation study was performed of the InP shallow homojunction solar cell with a view to determining the maximum realistically achievable efficiency and an optimum design that would yield this efficiency. Calculations show that with good-quality epitaxial material, a beginning-of-life efficiency of about 20.3 precent at 1AM0, 25 C may be possible. The design parameters of the near-optimum cell are given. Also presented are the expected effect on the performance parameters of radiation damage by 1-MeV electrons and a possible explanation of the high radiation tolerance of InP solar cells.
Suicidal Behavior and Neurological Illnesses.

Objective: Suicidal ideation and behavior have been associated with a variety of neurological illnesses. Studies are ongoing in combat veterans and other groups to examine possible mechanisms and pathways that account for such associations. Method: This article provides a review of the literature on suicide ideation and suicidal behavior in patients with neurological illnesses including publications on veteran’s health and military medicine. Studies of suicide attempts and deaths in people with neurological illnesses are also reviewed. Results: The studies summarized in this review indicate that there are important linkages between suicidal ideation and behavior and neurological conditions, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Conclusion: Additional studies are needed to further clarify why suicide ideation and suicidal behavior are associated with neurological diseases, in order to improve quality of life, alleviate patient distress, and prevent nonfatal and fatal suicide attempts in veteran and non-veteran populations.
Nonstationary array processing for sources with time-varying polarizations

This paper presents a spatial polarimetric time-frequency distribution (SPTFD) based approach for direction-of-arrival (DOA) and polarization estimation of nonstationary signals with time-varying polarization signatures that are incident on an array of dual-polarized double-feed antennas. The use of a time-frequency distribution allows for the concentration of the signal energy in the time-frequency domain and the tracking of the signals' time-varying frequencies. It also allows for the instantaneous tracking of the signal's time-varying polarization. The proposed approach yields improved DOA and polarization signature estimation. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the performance improvement that this method provides.
Photophysical Properties of CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots with tunable surface composition

Abstract We report the synthesis and optical characterization of core/shell CdSe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) with controlled surface composition. Using secondary phosphine chalcogenide and cadmium carboxylate precursors in an alternating layer-by-layer synthetic approach, the elemental surface composition of the quasi-type-I CdSe/CdS core/shell QDs can be repeatedly tuned from predominately cadmium to predominantly sulfur, as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Similar to CdS and CdSe core-only QDs, the surface composition has a significant effect on the photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield: sulfur terminated QDs exhibit quenched PL, while cadmium terminated QDs have relatively bright PL. Density-functional tight-binding calculations on CdSe/CdS core/shell clusters suggest that PL quenching for sulfur-rich surfaces is the result of a high density of hole surface states in the QD bandgap. Time-resolved PL measurements confirm the QDs’ nonradiative recombination rates are strongly sensitive to the surface composition.
Rapid Seizure-Induced Reduction of Benzodiazepine and Zn2+ Sensitivity of Hippocampal Dentate Granule Cell GABAA Receptors

Fast synaptic inhibition in the forebrain is mediated primarily by GABA acting on GABAA receptors (GABARs). GABARs are regulated by numerous positive (barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and neurosteroids) and negative (picrotoxin, bicuculline, and Zn2+) allosteric modulators. The sensitivity of GABARs to GABA and to allosteric modulators changes gradually during normal development, during development of chronic epilepsy, and after prolonged exposure to GABAR agonists. Here we report the development of rapid functional plasticity of GABARs occurring over 45 min of continuous seizures (status epilepticus) in rats. Seizures induced in rats by administration of lithium followed by pilocarpine were readily terminated by the benzodiazepine diazepam when administered early during the seizures (after 10 min of seizures). However, during status epilepticus, there was a substantial reduction of diazepam potency for termination of the seizures. To determine whether the loss of sensitivity of the animals to diazepam was caused by an alteration of GABAR functional properties, we obtained whole-cell GABAR currents from hippocampal dentate granule cells isolated acutely from control rats and from rats undergoing status epilepticus. GABAR properties were characterized by determining GABA sensitivity and the sensitivity of GABARs to regulation by benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and Zn2+. When compared with those from naive controls, GABAR currents from rats undergoing status epilepticus were less sensitive to diazepam and Zn2+ but retained their sensitivity to GABA and pentobarbital. We conclude that the prolonged seizures of status epilepticus rapidly altered the functional properties of hippocampal dentate granule cell GABARs.
Analysis of the effect of solar cells on the antenna integrated on top of their cover glass

A patch antenna integrated on the cover glass of a commercial space solar cell is examined. The effect of the solar cell on the gain of the antenna is analyzed and validated. It is found that the solar cell casts 2–3 dB gain loss of the antenna when standard cover glass is considered. This value provides an important design consideration when integrating optically transparent antennas on solar cells to save surface real estate of small space vehicles.
Waterfront politics: revisiting the case of Camden, New Jersey’s redevelopment

The public policy responses to the enduring socioeconomic struggles of the urban core have dominated public discourse in postwar cities in the United States. Policy-makers have pursued numerous strategies to respond to the conditions of decline. Waterfront redevelopment is one of most common strategies to address these issues, although the benefits rarely extend beyond the core. In a case study of waterfront redevelopment in Camden, New Jersey, we analyze the politics of a project to demolish the Riverfront State Prison to capitalize on the city’s waterfront. Drawing on archival research and key informant interviews, we argue that the project failed because the problem definitions created by the political actors were misaligned with the community’s needs. We conclude by reflecting on policy impactions and questions on urban sustainability.
Experience with prophylactic oral ciprofloxacin in gynecological cancer patients developing severe chemotherapy-induced neutropenia

The development of significant neutropenia is a relatively frequent complication of cytotoxic chemotherapy of malignant disease. In an effort to develop a cost-effective management strategy to prevent serious infectious events associated with severe chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, patients treated in the Gynecological Oncology Program of the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center have been administered ciprofloxacin, a potent broad-spectrum antibiotic, 500 mg orally twice a day, beginning at the time of documentation of grade 4 neutropenia. The antibiotic is continued until granulocyte recovery. A total of 44 patients (57 treatment courses) have been treated in this manner. There have been no complications of therapy and no episodes of subsequent infections due to ciprofloxacin-resistant organisms. Two patients required hospital admission following the development of significant fever, despite the use of ciprofloxacin. While these results are encouraging and suggest that the use of prophylactic ciprofloxacin is a highly cost-effective management approach in this setting, randomized controlled trials are necessary to define the ultimate benefit of this clinical strategy.
Endophytic fungal DNA, the source of contamination in spruce needle DNA

DNA isolated and amplified from higher plants may originate from symbiotic microbes occupying plant tissues. A recent report on the phylogeny of Picea contained sequence data that upon later analysis proved to originate from filamentous ascomycetes. Isolates of endophytic fungi from Picea foliage collected from the same location as the original samples were examined to identify the source of the contaminating DNA. The ITS region of isolates was screened by Southern blotting using an oligonucleotide probe homologous to a unique portion of the reported ‘spruce’ sequences. This study identifies a DNA sequence originally attributed to Picea engelmannii (Engelmann spruce) as Hormonema dematioides, a ubiquitous foliar endophyte of conifers. Infections of plants by endophytic fungi are common and their presence is not revealed by external symptoms. Plant molecular researchers should be aware of the potential for this type of DNA contamination.
On tolerance to and craving for alcohol in histamine-treated schizophrenics; a physiodynamic interpretation of observations on histamine-adrenocortico-hormonal equilibrations.

1. The effects of histamine biochemotherapy on 11 non-hospitalized schizophrenics are presented in a preliminary report, and the findings and endocrine interrelationships are analyzed from a physiodynamic viewpoint involving endocrine interrelationships. 2. In this study, histamine has been observed to reduce both tolerance and craving. 3. ACH, ACTH and cortisone have been reportedto increase tolerance and reduce craving. 4. The need for sharp differentiation between cerebral tolerance and craving, as influenced by therapy, is stressed. 5. The full significance of this difference in action must await detailed reports on the psychiatric classification of patients under treatment by all groups of investigators. 6. The importance of diagnosis is stressed as fundamental to proper endocrine therapy. 7. The metabolic approach appears to be a promising avenue for the study of problem drinking just as it is for psychiatric disorders in general.
Synthesis and properties of lithium-graphite intercalation compounds

Abstract We describe liquid phase syntheses of stage 1 and stage 2 lithium-graphite intercalation compounds obtained by immersing large pieces of pyrolytic graphite in the appropriate liquid metal at 350°C for 8 h. Pure lithium gives LiC6 (stage 1) at equilibrium whereas a dilute alloy of 4% Li in sodium gives stage 2, the sodium acting as an inert solvent. Gram quantities of the pure phases are readily prepared. The c axis repeat distances agree with earlier work. The room temperature electrical conductivities are approximately 2 × 10 5 Ω −1 cm − parallel to the layers and the anisotropy factor for LiC6 is about 10, less than for other compounds. Metallic reflectance spectra are also briefly discussed.