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Study Design: Case-control.Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate fusion rates and compare a stand-alone cage construct with an anterior-plate construct in the setting revision anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for adjacent segment disease.Summary Of Background Data: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion are considered the criterion standard of surgical treatment for cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy. One common consequence is adjacent segment disease. Treatment of adjacent segment disease is complicated by the previous surgical implants, which may make application of an additional anterior cervical plate difficult. Stand-alone cage constructs obviate the need for removal or revision of prior implants in the setting of adjacent segment disease.Methods: All patients undergoing surgery for adjacent segment disease in a 2-year period were identified and separated into groups based on implant construct. A control group of patients undergoing primary, single-level ACDF were selected from during the same 2-year period. Demographic variables, fusion rate, and reoperation rate were compared between groups. Continuous variables were compared using Student t test, fusion, and revision rates were compared using Pearson χ test.Results: Patients undergoing primary ACDF had lower age and American Society of Anesthesia score as well as shorter operative time. Fusion rate was higher for primary ACDF compared to all patients who underwent ACDF for adjacent segment disease (95% vs. 74%). When compared to primary ACDF, patients with a stand-alone cage construct had significantly lower fusion rate (69% vs. 95%) and higher reoperation rate (14% vs. 0%). There were no significant differences in anterior plate construct versus stand-alone cage construct in terms of fusion and reoperation.Conclusion: Symptomatic adjacent segment disease can be managed surgically with either revision anterior plating or a stand-alone cage constructs, although our results raise questions regarding a difference in fusion rates that requires further investigation.Level Of Evidence: 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present in a full analytic form the partial widths for the lepton flavour violating decays μ ± → e ± e + e - and τ ± → ℓ ± ℓ ′ + ℓ ′ - , with ℓ , ℓ ′ = μ , e , mediated by neutrino oscillations in the one-loop diagrams. Compared to the first result by Petcov (Sov J Nucl Phys 25:340, 1977), obtained in the zero momentum limit P ≪ m ν ≪ M W , we retain full dependence on P , the momenta and masses of external particles, and we determine the branching ratios in the physical limit m ν ≪ P ≪ M W . We show that the claim presented in Pham (Eur Phys J C8:513, 1999) that the τ → ℓ ℓ ′ ℓ ′ branching ratios could be as large as 10 - 14 , as a consequence of keeping the P dependence, is flawed. We find rates of order 10 - 55 , even smaller than those obtained in the zero momentum limit, as the latter prediction contains an unphysical logarithmic enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet surveys of American Evaluation Association (AEA) members are a common method for studying evaluation practice. Response rates obtained from Internet surveys of AEA members are, however, frequently very small. To investigate whether or not material incentives increase response rates to Internet surveys of AEA members, a between-subjects three-treatment and one control randomized experiment in which a randomly selected sample of AEA members were randomly assigned to a no-incentive control condition, lottery condition, token incentive condition, or philanthropic donation incentive condition was utilized. The overall response rate to the survey was 39.66% and the response rates for each of the four conditions were control = 36.24%, lottery = 44.39%, token incentive = 43.28%, and philanthropic donation = 34.67%, respectively. The cost-effectiveness of each of the four conditions also was examined, demonstrating that the lottery was the most cost-effective. Other factors potentially influencing response or nonresponse decisions also are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To estimate the population-based annual rate of hernia surgery in Ghana, so as to better define the met and unmet need and to identify opportunities to decrease the unmet need.Methods: Data on operations performed from June 2014 to May 2015 were obtained from representative samples of 48 of 124 district (first-level) hospitals, 9 of 11 regional (referral) hospitals, and 3 of 5 tertiary hospitals, and scaled-up to nationwide estimates. Rates of hernia surgery were compared to previously published annual incidence of symptomatic hernia in Ghana (210/100,000 population) and to published annual rates of hernia surgery in high-income countries (120-275/100,000).Results: Estimated 17,418 [95% uncertainty interval (UI) 8154-26,683] hernia operations were performed nationally. The annual rate of hernia operations was 65 operations/100,000 population (95% UI 30.2-99.0). The rate was considerably less than the annual incidence of new symptomatic hernia or rates of hernia surgery in high-income countries. Hernia operations represented 7.5% of all operations. Most hernia operations (74%) were performed at district hospitals. Most district hospitals (54%) did not have fully trained surgeons, but nonetheless performed 38% of district-level hernia operations.Conclusions: The rate of hernia operations fell short of estimated need. Most hernia repairs were performed at district hospitals, many without fully trained surgeons. Future global surgery benchmarking needs to address both overall surgical rates as well as rates for specific highly important operations. Countries can strengthen their planning for surgical care by defining their total, met, and unmet need for hernia surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germline mutations are the source of all heritable variation. In the past few years, whole genome sequencing has allowed direct and comprehensive surveys of mutation patterns in humans and other species. These studies have documented substantial variation in both mutation rates and spectra across primates, the causes of which remain unclear. Here, we review what is currently known about mutation rates in primates, highlight the factors proposed to explain the variation across species, and discuss some implications of these findings on our understanding of the chronology of primate evolution and the process of mutagenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing control method of wheel slip rate has a long braking time, the gap between the slip rate and the optimal slip rate is obvious, and there is a defect of poor control effect. In order to solve the above problems, the fuzzy algorithm is introduced to design the wheel slip control method. According to the characteristics of ESC system, the control model of wheel slip rate was built. On this basis, the least square optimization algorithm was used to estimate the best slip rate. Based on the estimated optimal slip rate, the multi-agent system was used to design the slip rate controller, and thus to get the threshold value of slip rate controller. Moreover, the fuzzy algorithm was used to optimize the parameters of slip rate controller, so as to keep the optimal slip ratio. Finally, the control for wheel slip ratio based on fuzzy algorithm was achieved. The simulation results show that the slip ratio of this method is kept between 0.18–0.45, which is less different from the optimal slip ratio. Compared with the existing control method of wheel slip ratio, the proposed control method of wheel slip ratio greatly improves the control effect, which fully shows that the proposed control method of wheel slip ratio has better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diffusive chemostat model with two competing species and one nutrient is revisited in this paper. It is shown that at large diffusion rate, both species are washed out, while competition exclusion occurs at small diffusion rate. This implies that a stable coexistence only occurs at intermediate diffusion rate, and an explicit way of determining parameter ranges which support a stable coexistence steady state is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant lesions affect disease impact, progression and host resistance. Root lesions caused by Armillaria ostoyae (Romagn.) Herink were inspected on 24‐ to 34‐year‐old planted Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) pulled from the soil in five locations. Four hundred seventy‐nine lesions were measured for length (mm), expansion rate (mm/year) and lesion type. Lesion types were patch lesions on a root side, girdled lesions covering the root circumference and root collar lesions on the stem below ground. Non‐linear mixed modelling revealed that fungal lesion length at girdled and collar lesions increased but the expansion rate slowed as a power function of time, indicating increasing secondary inoculum and host resistance. Average fungal lesion expansion rate in girdled root and collar lesions was 127 mm the first year which then declined non‐linearly to 26 mm/year after 10 years. Fungal lesion length in patch lesions showed little change after the first year of infection. For girdled and collar lesions, fungal lesion length increased with tree size at the time of infection. Sites with a longer frost‐free period had shorter girdled root and stem lesions, probably because of more active host defence. Results indicate that mortality would be rare from one infection event. Furthermore, patch lesions pose a lower risk of mortality than other lesions because of a lower fungal lesion expansion rate and secondary inoculum. Tree size, lesion position, lesion type and fungal lesion expansion rate need to be considered when assessing the risk of lesions to individual tree survival. Techniques to minimize the disease impact are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article explores the effects of individual task conflict asymmetry—a member's task conflict perception relative to others on the team—on peer ratings of that member's effectiveness. In two studies of student teams, we find that individuals who perceive more conflict than their teammates are rated as more effective team members. This effect is explained by uncertainty experienced by the high task conflict perceiver, which acts as a catalyst for additional effort expansion toward team goals. By turning our attention to peer ratings of member effectiveness, we offer an optimistic side to individual task conflict asymmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy levels and E1, E2, M1, and M2 transitions rates are reported for the low-lying 41 levels of Ge(XVIII), belonging to the n = 3 states (1s22s22p6)3s23p3, 3s3p4, and 3s23p23d. High-accuracy calculations have been performed as benchmarks for accurate treatments of relativity, electron correlations, and QED effects in multivalence- electron systems. The calculated energy levels are in excellent agreement with the experimental results and the experimentally compiled energy values from the National Institute for Standards and Technology wherever available. The calculated values, including core-valence corrections, are found to be in a good agreement with other theoretical and experimental values. The present results are reported as benchmarks for future calculations and measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Do web surveys still yield lower response rates compared with other survey modes? To answer this question, we replicated and extended a meta-analysis done in 2008 which found that, based on 45 experimental comparisons, web surveys had an 11 percentage points lower response rate compared with other survey modes. Fundamental changes in internet accessibility and use since the publication of the original meta-analysis would suggest that people's propensity to participate in web surveys has changed considerably in the meantime. However, in our replication and extension study, which comprised 114 experimental comparisons between web and other survey modes, we found almost no change: web surveys still yielded lower response rates than other modes (a difference of 12 percentage points in response rates). Furthermore, we found that prenotifications, the sample recruitment strategy, the survey's solicitation mode, the type of target population, the number of contact attempts, and the country in which the survey was conducted moderated the magnitude of the response rate differences. These findings have substantial implications for web survey methodology and operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Blood cultures (BCs) frequently become contaminated during the pre-analytic phase of collection leading to downstream ramifications. We present a summary of performance improvement (PI) interventions provided by four hospital systems and common factors that contributed to decreased blood culture contamination (BCC) rates. Methods: Each hospital independently formed a multidisciplinary team and action plan for implementation of their intervention, focusing on the use of educational and training tools. Their goal was to significantly decrease their BCC rates. Pre- and post-intervention data were compared during the sustainment period to determine their success. Results: All hospitals met their goals of post-intervention BCC rates and with most achieving and sustaining BCC rates ≤ 1.0–2.0%. Conclusion: Our report highlights how four hospitals independently achieved their objective to decrease their BCC rate with the support of a multidisciplinary team. We propose a benchmark for BCC rates of 1.5 to < 2.0% as achievable and sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heating rate is crucial to the pyrolysis process of charring materials in the thermal protection system (TPS) of spacecraft. In order to study the influence of heating rate on the thermal response of charring materials, a novel formula for pyrolysis rate of charring materials is presented on the basis of experimental results of charring materials under different heating rates and the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. Then combined with the pyrolysis layer model, from the numerical simulation we find an interesting result that the traditional method to determine pyrolysis rate without considering the heating rate is conservative for the design of TPS, but the novel method in this study contributes to optimization design of TPS in spacecraft. • Novel formula for pyrolysis rate under different heating rates is given. • Presented formula is combined with the pyrolysis layer model. • Charring materials encounter a more severe pyrolysis process as heating rate rises. • Bondline temperature of thermal protection system decreases as heating rate rises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the temporal variations in rockfall activity in the 5.2 km2 calcareous cliffs of the deglaciated Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland. We did this using 19 campaigns of repeated terrestrial laser scans (TLS) over 5.2 yr, power-law predicted behavior from extrapolation of the TLS-derived frequency-magnitude relationship, and estimates of longtime-scale (~11 k.y.) activity based on the volume of preserved postglacial rockfall talus. Results from the short-time-scale observations indicate no statistically significant difference between TLS observations averaging over 1.5 versus 5.2 yr. Rock-wall retreat rates in both cases are 0.03-0.08 mm/yr. In contrast, the power-law predicted rock-wall retreat rates are 0.14-0.22 mm/yr, and long-term rates from talus volumes are 0.27-0.38 mm/yr. These results suggest (1) short (1.5 yr) TLS inventories of rockfalls provide (within uncertainties) similar frequency-magnitude relationships as longer (5.2 yr) inventories, thereby suggesting short observation periods may be sufficient for hazard characterization from TLS, and (2) higher rock-wall retreat rates over long time scales (Holocene averaged) may reflect debuttressing and stress relaxation effects after glacial retreat, and/or enhanced rockfall activity under periglacial (climatic) conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ventriculopleural shunting (VPLS) is recognized as an alternative method when the standard ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) is not applicable. Nevertheless, there is limited clinical evidence of its effectiveness including long-term patency. Data on 35 consecutive patients who underwent VPLS at a single institution were retrospectively analyzed. The rates of shunt survival and incidence of symptomatic pleural effusion were calculated, and risk factors were evaluated. Mean follow-up after VPLS was 64.1 months. The cumulative overall shunt survival rates were 70%, 44%, and 28% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Among patients with shunt failure, 3 (8.6%) with overdrainage underwent simple valve replacement (from fixed to programmable valve) and retained a VPLS. If these patients are excluded, shunt survival rates were 76%, 51%, and 34% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, and the median shunt survival time was 3.0 years. No factor was significantly associated with shunt survival. Cumulative rates of symptomatic pleural effusion were 18%, 23%, and 46% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Median time from VPLS placement to symptomatic pleural effusion was 1.1 years. It seems that VPLS survival has improved with more modern shunt technology. VPLS is a reasonable second-line option when VPS is not feasible. The possibility of pleural effusion is not negligible, but asymptomatic/mild effusions may be managed conservatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study relations between the decaying rates of operator semigroups on Hilbert spaces and some spectral properties of their respective generators; in particular, we show that the decaying rates of orbits of semigroups which are stable but not exponentially stable, typically in Baire's sense, depend on sequences of time going to infinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ignition temperature of Mg–(1–3) wt% Ca binary alloys has been tested at two different heating rates: a low heating rate (LHR) of 25 °C/min and a high heating rate (HHR) of 45 °C/min under a constant flow of extra dry air at a rate of 0.9 L/min. At both heating rates, the ignition temperature increased with Ca in the alloy. For LHR sample, the ignition temperature increased from 655 °C at 0 wt% Ca to 861 °C at 3 wt% Ca. For HHR samples, the increase in ignition temperature was lower, from 658 to 787 °C as Ca increased from 0 to 3 wt%. It was observed that Ca-rich interdendritic regions, when molten, resist oxidation more than when they are solid, an effect that can be attributed to the ΔG (Gibbs energy change) of CaO formation from the molten and solid phases. Using a LHR results in a smooth oxide scale and a higher ignition temperature, which is related to the formation of extensive molten pools, while a HHR yielded an irregular oxidation and lower ignition temperature due to the early oxidation of solid intermetallics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher stocking rates of lambing ewes have been associated with poorer ewe-lamb behaviour and lamb survival. This study tested the hypothesis that increasing the mob size and stocking rate of lambing ewes on commercial farms will reduce the survival of their lambs. Data were collected from 66 producers in Australia for Experiment one and 22 producers in New Zealand for Experiment two. Survival of single- and twin-born lambs decreased by 1.4% and 3.5% per extra 100 ewes in the mob, regardless of breed, in Experiment one. The survival of Merino lambs in Experiment two decreased by 0.9% per extra 100 ewes in the mob, regardless of birth type. Increasing stocking rate by 1 ewe/ha also decreased lamb survival by 0.7% in Experiment one. However, this was not evident in Experiment two. These findings highlight the scope to optimise ewe mob size and stocking rate at lambing to improve lamb survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is concerned with the semi-parametric error-in-variables (EV) model with missing responses: y i = ξ i β + g (t i) + ϵ i , x i = ξ i + μ i , where ϵ i = σ i e i is heteroscedastic, f (u i) = σ i 2 , y i are the response variables missing at random, the design points (ξ i , t i , u i) are known and non-random, β is an unknown parameter, g (⋅) and f (⋅) are functions defined on closed interval [ 0 , 1 ] , and the ξ i are the potential variables observed with measurement errors μ i , e i are random errors. Under appropriate conditions, we study the strong consistent rates for the estimators of β, g (⋅) and f (⋅) . Finite sample behavior of the estimators is investigated via simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the influence of the "Physician Unit Performance Coefficient" (PUPC) regulation, taken into force by the TR Ministry of Health in January 2013 in our country, based on the cesarean rates in our clinic.Methods: The pregnant women who gave birth at the Diyarbakır Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital within a period of three years before the PUPC has been taken into force and the pregnant women who have birth within a period of three years after January 2013, when the regulation has been taken into force, have been divided into two groups as Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Comparisons have been made between the two groups with respect to primary cesarean, total cesarean, neonatal mortality, and maternal mortality rates.Results: From the 125,816 pregnant women who gave birth between February 2010 and January 2016, 58,856 (46.7%) are included in Group 1 and the remaining 66,960 (53.3%) are in Group 2. The total Cesarean Rate is 27% in Group 2 and 24.8% in Group 1. The primary Cesarean Rate is 11.3% in Group 2 and 13.5% in Group 1. The neonatal mortality rate is 7.81‰ in Group 2 and 10‰ in Group 1. The differences in the total cesarean rates, primary cesarean rates and neonatal mortality rates have been found statistically significant. Maternal mortality rates have been found to be 5.1 in 100,000 in Group one and 4.48 in 100,000 in Group 2 and the difference between the two groups has not been found as statistically significant.Conclusions: A meaningful reduction has been achieved in the primary cesarean rates without increasing maternal and neonatal mortality rates after the PUPC, implemented by the TR Ministry of Health, has been taken into force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporary pacemakers (TPMs) are usually inserted in an emergency situation. However, there are few reports available regarding which route of access is best or what the most preferred approach is currently in tertiary hospitals. This study aimed to compare procedure times, complication rates, and indications for temporary pacing between the transjugular and transfemoral approaches to TPM placement. We analyzed consecutive patients who underwent TPM placement. Indications; procedure times; and rates of complications including localized infection, any bleeding, and pacing wire repositioning rates were analyzed. A total of 732 patients (361 treated via the transjugular approach and 371 treated via the transfemoral approach) were included. Complete atrioventricular block was the most common cause of TPM placement in both groups, but sick sinus syndrome was especially common in the transjugular approach group. Separately, procedure time was significantly shorter in the transjugular approach group (9.0 ± 8.0 minutes vs. 11.9 ± 9.7 minutes; P < 0.001). Overall complication rates were not significantly different between the two groups, and longer duration of temporary pacing was a risk factor for repositioning. The risk of reposition was significantly increased when the temporary pacing was continued more than 5 days and 3 days in the transjugular approach group and the transfemoral approach group, respectively. The transjugular approach should be considered if the TPM is required for more than 3 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stochastic susceptible–exposed–infected–recovered (SEIR) model with nonlinear incidence rate is investigated. Under suitable conditions, existence and uniqueness of a global solution, stationary distribution with ergodicity, persistence in the mean, and extinction of the disease are obtained. Numerical simulations and conclusions are separately carried out at the end of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Odd-parity error rejection (OPER), in particular the method of actively odd parity pairing (AOPP), can drastically improve the asymptotic key rate of sending-or-not-sending twin-field (SNS-TF) quantum key distribution (QKD). However, in practice, the finite-key effects have to be considered for the security. Here, we propose a zigzag approach to verify the phase-flip error of the survived bits after OPER or AOPP. Based on this, we can take all the finite-key effects efficiently in calculating the non-asymptotic key rate. Numerical simulation shows that our approach here produces the highest key rate over all distances among all existing methods, improving the key rate by more than 100% to 3000% in comparison with different prior art methods with typical experimental setting. These verify the advantages of the AOPP method with finite data size. Also, with our zigzag approach here, the non-asymptotic key rate of SNS-TF QKD can by far break the absolute bound of repeater-less key rate with whatever detection efficiency. We can even reach a non-asymptotic key rate more than 40 times of the practical bound and 13 times of the absolute bound with 1012 pulses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a new method of estimating the absorption rate constant (k a) of a 2-compartment model with extravascular administration, which is called an alternative method. The method was based on approximating the distribution and elimination phases of a 2-compartment model to the elimination phase of a one-compartment model. By using the model equation t max = ln k a − ln ( k 10 + k 12 ) k a − ( k 10 + k 12 ) , first, we obtained the peak time (t max) and the sum value of the first-order elimination rate constant (k 10) and the distribution rate constant (k 12), then the iterative method was used to obtain estimated value. And the estimation results were compared with the results obtained by the Loo-Riegelman and statistical moment methods and the factors affecting the estimation results of alternative method were explored. Finally, verification experiments were carried out with actual data in the literature. In general, a good estimation effect on the value of k a in the extravascular administration of the 2-compartment model was obtained by this method, with less errors compared with the commonly used 2 other methods (p < 0.05). Changes in k 12 , k 10 , k a , and another distribution rate constant (k 21) all influenced the estimation results. The alternative method also showed good results in estimating k a of compounds in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult female survival is an important component to population models and management programs for white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), but short‐term survival studies (1–3 yrs) may not accurately reflect the variation in interannual survival, which could alter management decisions. We monitored annual survival and cause‐specific mortality rates of adult female white‐tailed deer (n = 158) for 6 years (2010–2012, 2016–2018) in southern Delaware, USA. Annual survival rate differed among years. Survival rates (±SE) and mortality causes were similar in 3 years (2011 = 0.72 ± 0.08, 2017 = 0.68 ± 0.08, 2018 = 0.74 ± 0.09) and comparable to previous research from mixed forest‐agricultural landscapes. A relatively low survival rate in 2010 (0.48 ± 0.11) was influenced by hunter harvest and potentially compounded by abnormally severe winter conditions in the prior year. A peracute outbreak of hemorrhagic disease occurred during summer 2012, resulting in an annual survival rate of 0.38 ± 0.11, and to our knowledge is the first reported case of a hemorrhagic disease outbreak in a monitored wild population with known fates. In 2016, we did not observe any harvest mortality, resulting in high annual survival (0.96 ± 0.04). Our results demonstrate the degree of variability in annual survival and cause‐specific mortality rates within a population. We caution against the use of short‐term survival studies to inform management decisions, particularly when incorporating survival data into population models or when setting harvest objectives. © 2020 The Wildlife Society. We monitored annual survival of adult female white‐tailed deer for 6 years. Variability among years was high because of mortality associated with uncommon climatic conditions, mortality from a hemorrhagic disease outbreak, and a year with no harvest mortality. Short‐term studies may not accurately represent the long‐term variability in annual white‐tailed deer survival rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has shown that increasing the size of incentives can increase response rates for probability-based, cross-sectional surveys. However, the effects of incentives on web panels have not been extensively studied. We sought to answer the question: What is the effect of larger, postpaid incentives on (1) response, (2) data quality, and (3) nonresponse bias for individuals in a web panel? We analyzed data from the 2015 and 2016 National Internet Flu Survey, a survey that uses the GfK KnowledgePanel® as its sampling frame. We compare panel members who received a postpaid, standard 1,000-point (the equivalent of US$1) incentive in 2015 to panelists who received a larger, 5,000-point (the equivalent of US$5) incentive in 2016. We found that larger incentives were associated with increased interview completion rates with minimal impact on data quality or bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When given a choice between two alternatives, each offering food after the same delay with different but signaled probabilities, pigeons often prefer the low probability alternative. This preference is surprising because pigeons fail to maximize the rate of food intake; they exhibit a suboptimal preference. We advance a new explanation, the Δ–∑ hypothesis, in which the difference in probability of reinforcement within terminal links (Δ) and the overall reinforcement probability rate of each alternative (∑) are the key variables responsible for such suboptimal preference. We tested the Δ–∑ hypothesis in two experiments. In Experiment 1, we manipulated the Δs while maintaining constant all other parameters of the task, in particular the ∑s. We predicted a preference for the alternative with the larger Δ. In Experiment 2, we examined the effect of the overall reinforcement probabilities, the ∑s, while maintaining constant all other parameters of the task, in particular the Δs. We predicted a preference for the larger ∑. The results of both experiments support the Δ–∑ hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a FEM-based tool wear approach with a focus on the geometry of the worn tool, especially the changes of flank wear land inclination angle, was developed. The relationship between the variables of the wear rate equation and the average nodal temperature on the flank wear land through integrating FE-simulations of the cutting process and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was determined in order to define the temperature as a function of wear rate model parameters. Then, that data was used to calibrate the wear rate equation which was obtained by establishing the relationship between the Usui wear rate equation and the geometry of the worn tool, using a MATLAB program. This approach was validated by comparing the predicted flank wear rates and experimental measurements. The estimated flank wear shows some improvement compare to the model with a constant inclination angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polygonal fault systems (PFSs) are an enigmatic class of small nontectonic extensional faults. PFSs are predominantly hosted in fine-grained sedimentary tiers and are prevalent along many continental margin basins. The genesis of PFSs is widely debated, and little is known about the time frame for polygonal fault growth. We present the first measurements of throw rates for polygonal faults by measuring the vertical offset of seven age-calibrated horizons mapped using three-dimensional seismic reflection data from the Norwegian Sea. Individual polygonal faults exhibit a range of throw rate profiles through time, ranging from near linear to singly or multiply stepped. The stepped profiles have short-term throw rates ranging from 0 to 18 m/m.y. Time-averaged throw rates of 180 polygonal faults over the entire 2.61-0 Ma interval are normally distributed and range between 1.4 and 10.9 m/m.y. We convert our PFS throw rates to displacement rates and compare these to published displacement rates for gravity-driven and tectonic normal faults. We find that the displacement rates of polygonal faults mark the lower limit of a continuous spectrum of extensional fault displacement rates; they are as much as two orders of magnitude slower than those of gravity-driven faults, and as much as three orders of magnitude slower than those of the fastest-growing tectonic faults. We attribute the ultra-slow kinematic behavior to the nontectonic nature of polygonal faults, where throw accumulates primarily through dewatering of the largely finegrained sediments composing the host layers for the PFSs, and through differential volumetric strain between the fault footwalls and hanging walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simulation‐based counterfactual is one way to solve the observational equivalence challenge that seemingly "partisan" majority‐party roll rates can be observed in the absence of any actual party influence. We simulate no‐partisan‐agenda‐control counterfactual roll rates and apply them across sessions of the US House of Representatives and 86 state legislative chambers to evaluate the extent to which observed roll rates provide evidence for party influence on the legislative agenda. After assessing and controlling for the baseline risk of majority‐party rolls, there is significant evidence of party influence on roll rates in some state legislatures, particularly those with rules that grant parties more agenda power, and in the post‐Reed's‐rules House of Representatives. Institutional rules interact with the (simulated) risk of a majority roll to shape observed roll rates across chambers and across time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By utilizing the radio-frequency metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor switch, the multi-stage stacked printed circuit board Blumlein lines, and the induction voltage adder, a voltage generator with MHz repetition rates and nanosecond duration was designed and fabricated. The shunting current of the multi-stage stacked Blumlein lines, which consists of the coupling current at the load ends and the leakage current at the switch ends, is clarified. The circuit simulation and experiment of the three-stage stacked Blumlein lines are carried out; the result shows that the experiment and simulation agree well. The five-stage IVA prototype is designed for generating voltage pulses of ∼10 kV in amplitude and 8–11 ns in duration with MHz burst repetition rates. The voltage generator with MHz repetition rates and nanosecond duration demonstrated an important application prospect to reduce the electron beam initial emittance of the high energy accelerator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study regression problems over a separable Hilbert space with the square loss, covering non-parametric regression over a reproducing kernel Hilbert space. We investigate a class of spectral/regularized algorithms, including ridge regression, principal component regression, and gradient methods. We prove optimal, high-probability convergence results in terms of variants of norms for the studied algorithms, considering a capacity assumption on the hypothesis space and a general source condition on the target function. Consequently, we obtain almost sure convergence results with optimal rates. Our results improve and generalize previous results, filling a theoretical gap for the non-attainable cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Distention of the esophagus elicits a unique pattern of repetitive contractions in healthy controls. We aimed to assess the rhythm and rate of distension‐induced contractile patterns between achalasia and controls and identify factors that distinguish the normal contractile response to distension. Methods: Twenty asymptomatic controls and 140 adult patients with treatment‐naïve achalasia defined by HRM (29 type I, 81 type II, 30 type III) were prospectively evaluated with functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) during sedated endoscopy. 16‐cm FLIP balloons were positioned within the distal esophagus during stepwise balloon distension. Functional luminal imaging probe panometry studies were retrospectively analyzed using a customized program. Key results: All controls had contractility in a repetitive antegrade contraction (RAC) pattern with a rate of mean (10‐90th) 6 (4‐8) contractions per minute. 19/20 controls had > 6 consecutive antegrade contractions (ACs), that is, duration > 6 ACs, >6 cm in length, at a rate of 6 ± 3 contractions per minute (met the "Rule‐of‐6s"). 50 achalasia patients had repetitive contractions that occurred at a rates of 11 (7 ‐ 15) ACs per minute; P <.001 compared with controls, or 12 (8‐15) repetitive retrograde contractions per minute. Only 1/140 achalasia patients had a contractile response that met the "Rule‐of‐6s." Conclusion: The normal contractile response to sustained distention is associated with > 6 RACs with a consistent rate of 6 ± 3 per minute, which was exceptionally rare in achalasia. These findings support that the RAC pattern is disrupted in achalasia and the faster rate may be a manifestation of abnormal inhibition and/or a reduced refractory period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvements have been made in identifying the prevalence of risk factors/indicators for violent extremism. A consistent problem is the lack of base rates. How to develop base rates is of equal concern. This study has two aims: (i) compare two methods for developing base rates; the Unmatched Count Technique (UCT) and direct questioning, (ii) generate base rates in a general population sample and compare these to a sample of lone‐actor terrorists (n = 125). We surveyed 2108 subjects from the general population. Participants were recruited from an online access panel and randomly assigned to one of three conditions; direct survey, control, or UCT. Survey items were based on a lone‐actor terrorist codebook developed from the wider literature. Direct questioning was more suitable under our study conditions where UCT resulted in deflation effects. Comparing the base rates identified a number of significant differences: (i) lone‐actor terrorists demonstrated propensity indicators related to a cognitive susceptibility, and a crime‐ and/or violence‐supportive morality more often; the general sample demonstrated protective factors more often, (ii) lone‐actor terrorists demonstrated situational indicators related to a crime‐ and/or violence‐supportive morality more often, whereas the general sample experienced situational stressors more often, (iii) lone‐actor terrorists demonstrated indicators related to exposure to extremism more often. Results suggest there are measurable differences in the prevalence of risk factors between lone‐actor terrorists and the general population. However, no single factor "predicts" violent extremism. This bears implications for our understanding of the interrelation of risk and protective factors, and for the risk assessment of violent extremism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetics of the self‐reaction of BrO radicals has been studied over a wide temperature range (T = 220‐950 K) at 2 Torr total pressure of He using a low‐pressure flow reactor combined with a quadrupole mass spectrometer: BrO + BrO → 2Br + O2 (1a) and BrO + BrO → Br2 + O2 (1b). The overall rate constant for this reaction (defined by d[BrO]/dt = –2k1[BrO]2) was found to be k1 = k1a +k1b = (1.32 ± 0.09) × 10−12 exp(182 ± 22/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at T = 220‐950 K (where the uncertainties represent precision at the 2σ level). The channel‐specific rate constant for the Br2 + O2 forming channel (1b) was determined at T = 220‐450 K: k1b = (2.83 ± 0.35) × 10−13 exp(34 ± 36/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1 (with 2σ uncertainties). As a result of the comparative analysis of the present data and those from the previous studies, the following Arrhenius expressions are recommended from the present work: k1 = 1.4 × 10−12 exp(200/T) at T = 220‐950 K (independent of pressure at least for T ≥ 250 K) and k1b = 3.2 × 10−13 exp(34/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at T = 220‐450 K and total pressure of 2 Torr, with a conservative estimate of uncertainty of 25%, independent of temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how and why rates of character evolution vary across the Tree of Life is central to many evolutionary questions; for example, does the trophic apparatus (a set of continuous characters) evolve at a higher rate in fish lineages that dwell in reef versus nonreef habitats (a discrete character)? Existing approaches for inferring the relationship between a discrete character and rates of continuous-character evolution rely on comparing a null model (in which rates of continuous-character evolution are constant across lineages) to an alternative model (in which rates of continuous-character evolution depend on the state of the discrete character under consideration). However, these approaches are susceptible to a "straw-man" effect: the influence of the discrete character is inflated because the null model is extremely unrealistic. Here, we describe MuSSCRat , a Bayesian approach for inferring the impact of a discrete trait on rates of continuous-character evolution in the presence of alternative sources of rate variation ("background-rate variation"). We demonstrate by simulation that our method is able to reliably infer the degree of state-dependent rate variation, and show that ignoring background-rate variation leads to biased inferences regarding the degree of state-dependent rate variation in grunts (the fish group Haemulidae). [Bayesian phylogenetic comparative methods; continuous-character evolution; data augmentation; discrete-character evolution.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular phylogenies are a key source of information about the tempo and mode of species diversification. However, most empirical phylogenies do not contain representatives of all species, such that diversification rates are typically estimated from incompletely sampled data. Most researchers recognize that incomplete sampling can lead to biased rate estimates, but the statistical properties of methods for accommodating incomplete sampling remain poorly known. In this point of view, we demonstrate theoretical concerns with the widespread use of analytical sampling corrections for sparsely sampled phylogenies of higher taxonomic groups. In particular, corrections based on "sampling fractions" can lead to low statistical power to infer rate variation when it is present, depending on the likelihood function used for inference. In the extreme, the sampling fraction correction can lead to spurious patterns of diversification that are driven solely by unbalanced sampling across the tree in concert with low overall power to infer shifts. Stochastic polytomy resolution provides an alternative to sampling fraction approaches that avoids some of these biases. We show that stochastic polytomy resolvers can greatly improve the power of common analyses to estimate shifts in diversification rates. We introduce a new stochastic polytomy resolution method (Taxonomic Addition for Complete Trees [TACT]) that uses birth–death-sampling estimators across an ultrametric phylogeny to estimate branching times for unsampled taxa, with taxonomic information to compatibly place new taxa onto a backbone phylogeny. We close with practical recommendations for diversification inference under several common scenarios of incomplete sampling. [Birth–death process; diversification; incomplete sampling; phylogenetic uncertainty; rate heterogeneity; rate shifts; stochastic polytomy resolution.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In deep underground engineering, in a large spatial, high-stress environment, rapid excavation is likely to affect the loading rate of the fault structure and to cause stick-slip. In this study, an experiment was conducted to explore the stick-slip characteristics at different loading rates. A double-sided shear experiment and the digital speckle correlation method were used to analyze the evolution of the displacement field, the slip displacement, and the slip rate of the fault's stick-slip activity at different loading rates as well as their correlation with the loading rate. The loading rate, moment magnitude, and stress drop of the fault's stick-slip and their corresponding relationships were studied. The results show that the occurrence of stick-slip is inversely proportional to the loading rate. The evolution of the fault-slip displacement field at different loading rates is similar. At a given loading rate, the magnitude is positively correlated with the stress drop. The magnitude and stress drop are inversely related to the loading rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical CO2 reduction rates are limited in aqueous-based electrolytes by the low solubility of CO2. We recently demonstrated that organic solvent-based CO2 Expanded Electrolytes (CXEs) can solubilize multi-molar amounts of CO2 at moderate pressures while retaining sufficient supporting electrolyte to facilitate electrochemistry. Up to an order of magnitude enhancement in CO2 reduction rates to CO was achieved on polycrystalline Au electrodes at faradaic efficiencies approaching 80%. Herein, we show that similar enhancements are observed on Cu catalysts as well, on the basis of enhanced current flow. On both systems, a maximum in CO2 reduction rate was observed at ca. 5 M CO2 concentration (i.e., 3.1 MPa head-space pressure) beyond which the rate decreases. To explain this counterintuitive phenomenon, we developed a detailed COMSOL-based mechanistic model of CO2 reduction in organic electrolytes under elevated pressures on Au electrodes. This model incorporates the dissimilar variations of the key physicochemical properties (viz., CO2 concentration, CO2 diffusion rate, and solution polarity) with CO2 pressure. We thereby demonstrate that the overall rate is limited by CO2 concentrations at lower than optimum CO2 pressures. At pressures higher than the optimum the rate is limited by both an attenuation of the first electron-transfer step and an increase in the ohmic resistance of the system. Excellent quantitative match between experimental and model-predicted rates lend credence to the proposed underlying mechanism of electrocatalytic CO2 reduction in CXEs. These fundamental insights provide guidance for the rational design and scaleup of highly efficient CXE-based CO2 reduction systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the authors have analysed the impact of correlation among interferers, and between signal and interferers. In particular, the impact of correlation on average rate performance in an interference-limited scenario has been studied. The user's desired channel link and interfering channel links are assumed to experience Nakagami-m fading. Under this assumption, they compared the average rate for the following cases: (a) interferers are independent and the user's signal-and-interferers are also independent, (b) interferers are correlated and the user's signal-and-interferers are independent, and (c) interferers are correlated and the user's signal and-interferers are also correlated. It has been analytically shown that the average rate in case (b) is higher than the average rate in case (a) when the interferers are positively correlated. In other words, the positive correlation among the interferers increases the average rate. Furthermore, the average rate in case (c) is lower thanthe average rate in case (b). In other words, the positive correlation between the signal and interferers decreases the average rate. Moreover, the average rate in case (c) can be lower or higher than the average rate in case (a), depending upon the amount of correlation. Simulation results have been shown to support analytical observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weak convergence and moment convergence issues are investigated for the New Better than Average Failure Rate (NBAFR) family (introduced by Loh (1984)). We explore the validity of these results in the context of a more general ageing class that we introduce. We prove some new properties of this class and derive its interrelationships with other non-monotonic ageing families. Reliability and moment bounds are obtained and an interesting characterization of exponentiality is proved. Special cases of our results lead to new theorems for the NBAFR class. Finally weak convergence and related issues are established for this class. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Masses and decay width for some heavy baryons are studied within Isgur–Wise formalism. The extended Cornell potential is employed. The hyper-radial Schrödinger equation with extended Cornell potential is solved to obtain eigenvalues of energy and baryonic wave function by using the extended iteration method. Masses and the rate of decay width for some heavy baryons are calculated. The present results are improved in comparison with other recent works and are in a good agreement with experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formins direct the elongation of unbranched actin filaments by binding their barbed ends and processively stepping onto incoming actin monomers to incorporate them into the filament. Binding of profilin to actin monomers creates profilin-actin complexes, which then bind polyproline tracts located in formin homology 1 (FH1) domains. Diffusion of these natively disordered domains enables direct delivery of profilin-actin to the barbed end, speeding the rate of filament elongation. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of coordinated actin delivery from the multiple polyproline tracts in formin FH1 domains. We found that each polyproline tract can efficiently mediate polymerization, but that all tracts do not generate the same rate of elongation. InWTFH1 domains, the multiple polyproline tracts compete to deliver profilin-actin to the barbed end. This competition ultimately limits the rate of formin-mediated elongation. We propose that intrinsic properties of the filament-binding FH2 domain tune the efficiency of FH1-mediated elongation by directly regulating the rate of monomer incorporation at the barbed end. A strong correlation between competitive FH1-mediated profilin-actin delivery and FH2- regulated gating of the barbed end effectively limits the elongation rate, thereby obviating the need for evolutionary optimization of FH1 domain sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proximal method of multipliers was proposed by Rockafellar [Augmented Lagrangians and applications of the proximal point algorithm in convex programming. Math Oper Res. 1976;1:97–116] for solving convex programming and it is a kind of proximal point method applied to convex programming. In this paper, we apply this method for solving nonlinear semidefinite programming problems, in which subproblems have better properties than those from the augmented Lagrange method. We prove that, under the linear independence constraint qualification and the strong second-order sufficiency optimality condition, the rate of convergence of the proximal method of multipliers, for a nonlinear semidefinite programming problem, is linear and the ratio constant is proportional to 1/c, where c is the penalty parameter that exceeds a threshold c ∗ > 0. Moreover, the rate of convergence of the proximal method of multipliers is superlinear when the parameter c increases to + ∞. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological interaction between bacteria and sinking particles, such as bacterial degradation of marine snow particles, is regulated by their encounters. Current encounter models focus on the diffusive regime, valid for particles larger than the bacterial run length, yet the majority of marine snow particles are small, and the encounter process is then ballistic. Here, we analytically and numerically quantify the encounter rate between sinking particles and non-motile or motile micro-organisms in the ballistic regime, explicitly accounting for the hydrodynamic shear created by the particle and its coupling with micro-organism shape. We complement results with selected experiments on non-motile diatoms. The shape-shear coupling has a considerable effect on the encounter rate and encounter location through the mechanisms of hydrodynamic focusing and screening, whereby elongated micro-organisms preferentially orient normally to the particle surface downstream of the particle (focusing) and tangentially to the surface upstream of the particle (screening). Non-motile elongated micro-organisms are screened from sinking particles because shear aligns them tangentially to the particle surface, which reduces the encounter rate by a factor proportional to the square of the micro-organism aspect ratio. For motile elongated micro-organisms, hydrodynamic focusing increases the encounter rate when particle sinking speed is similar to micro-organism swimming speed, whereas for very quickly sinking particles hydrodynamic screening can reduce the encounter rate below that of non-motile micro-organisms. For natural ocean conditions, we connect the ballistic and diffusive limits and compute the encounter rate as a function of shape, motility and particle characteristics. Our results indicate that shear should be taken into account to predict the interactions between bacteria and sinking particles responsible for the large carbon flux in the ocean's biological pump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the US House of Representatives, Cox and McCubbins discover tiny majority-party roll rates and offer them as evidence of majority-party agenda control. However, the observed roll rates are approximately what would result from chance alone or from chance constrained in several natural ways. Besides that, we show that rolls themselves are not evidence of any lapse in partisan agenda control and may even occur as the intended consequence of agenda setting by the majority party. Innovations include a solution to the combinatorial problem of counting all possible rolls, the associated computations, hypothetical examples of strategically advantageous self-induced rolls, and a review of likely real examples of the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the impact of substance use and other risk factors on conviction rates in people with a psychotic illness (PI) and other mental disorders (OMD) compared to those with no mental illness (NMI).Methods: This research is part of a longitudinal record-linked whole-population study of 467,945 children born in Western Australia (WA) between 1980 and 2001. This cohort was identified through linkages between the WA psychiatric case register, WA corrective services data and other state-wide registers. We assessed 184,147 individuals born during 1983-1991 to explore the impact of exposure to a variety of risk factors on conviction rates.Results: People with PI and OMD had higher conviction rates than those with NMI, with unadjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR) of 3.98 (95% CI 3.67-4.32) for PI and 3.18 (95% CI 3.03-3.34) for OMD. Adjusting for substance use reduced the rates by 60% in PI and 30% in OMD: IRRs 1.59 (95% CI 1.45-1.74) and 2.24 (2.12-2.37), respectively. Minimal change was seen when adjusting for other potential risk factors (including socio-demographics, victimisation and parental offending), with adjusted IRRs 1.58 (95% CI 1.43-1.74) for PI and 1.90 (95% CI 1.80-2.02) for OMD.Conclusions: Our analysis shows people with a mental illness have higher rates of conviction than those with NMI. Substance use has a major impact on this rate. Results suggest the need for a greater investment in programs addressing the issue of comorbid substance use with a view to reduce the rate of convictions in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We define univariate, bivariate and GBS operators of Chlodowsky-Kantorovich operators and we give their approximations and rate of their approximations for B-continuous and B-differentiable functions. Finally we give some plots to compare operators and their GBS operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the transfer side, transfer location, cervix transfer score, type and diameter of corpus luteum (CL) during embryo transfer on pregnancy rates in beef heifers. Progesterone‐based synchronization and superovulation protocol were applied to Simmental cows used as donors (n = 168). Uterine flushings were performed on day 7 following artificial insemination. Obtained Code I (excellent or good) and II (fair) quality embryos were transferred to recipient beef heifers (n = 561). During embryo transfer, side of transfer (right or left), transfer location (the cranial or middle third of uterine horn), cervix transfer score (easy, moderate or difficult) and type (CLa, CLb and CLc) and diameter of CL were determined. Pregnancy rates following the transfer of Code I and II embryos were 44.66% and 33.07%, respectively (p <.05). The rates of pregnancy after transfers to the right and left uterine horn were 37% and 42.2%, respectively (p >.05). The pregnancy rates were 41.2%, 34.9% and 30.3% for cervix transfer scores as easy, moderate and difficult, respectively (p >.05). Pregnancy rates after transfer to the cranial third and middle third were 41.06% and 29.67%, respectively (p <.05). According to types of CL, pregnancy rates were 31.7%, 40.4% and 45.3% for CLa, CLb and CLc, respectively (p <.05). Moreover, it was found that as the CL diameter increased, the pregnancy rates increased. As a result, it was concluded that there was no effect of side of transfer and cervix transfer score, but embryo quality, transfer location, type and diameter of CL had significant effects on the pregnancy rate during embryo transfer in beef heifers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]