Stability Of Preferences Research Articles

Understanding the Nature of Temperature Stability in Potassium Sodium Niobate Based Ceramics from Structure Evolution under External Field.

Preferable temperature stability of ferroelectric and strain properties can be achieved in potassium sodium niobate (KNN)-based ceramics compared to that of other lead-free piezoelectric material systems, giving it greater potential for use in electronic devices once the temperature reliability issue related to the piezoelectric constant (d33) can be further resolved. Through exploration of the nature of the temperature stability from the evolution of a crystal structure under external fields, it has been determined that the electric field has no effect on the temperature stability of d33, resulting in almost the same trend of changes in d33 with temperature under both in situ and ex situ measurements, which is totally unlike the close relationship between the electric field and the strain temperature stability. With analysis of multiple factors including intrinsic phase coexistence, electric-field-induced domain texturing, lattice distortion, and thermally induced domain detexturing, the intrinsic contribution of phase evolution plays a dominant role in the temperature stability of d33 because of the mutual counteraction of domain texturing, lattice distortion, and thermal domain detexturing. Our research provides a systematic approach to understanding the nature of the d33 temperature stability in KNN-based ceramics and proposes some favorable suggestions on the future design of materials with good temperature reliability.

S-TiO2/UiO-66-NH2 composite for boosted photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction and bisphenol A degradation under LED visible light

Series sulfur-doped TiO2/amine-functionalized zirconium metal organic frameworks (S-TiO2/UiO-66-NH2) composites (U1Tx) were facilely fabricated from the as-prepared S-TiO2 and UiO-66-NH2 via ball-milling method. The photocatalytic activities of U1Tx toward Cr(VI) reduction and bisphenol A (BPA) degradation were tested under low-power LED visible light. The results demonstrated that U1T3 exhibited better photocatalytic performances than the pristine S-TiO2 and UiO-66-NH2 due to the improved separation and migration of electrons and holes. Furthermore, the influence factors like pH values and foreign ions on the photocatalytic performances of U1Tx were also investigated. The Box-Behnken design methodology was utilized to further clarify that the inorganic foreign anions and dissolved organic matters could exert significant effects on photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction performance. As well, the possible pathway of BPA degradation was depicted. After four runs of Cr(VI) removal, it was found that U1T3 exhibited preferable reusability and water stability. The probable reaction mechanism was proposed and verified by active species capture experiments, electron spin resonance determination and electrochemical analyses.

Risk Attitudes, Sample Selection, and Attrition in a Longitudinal Field Experiment

We evaluate the temporal stability of risk preferences using a remarkable data set that combines sociodemographic information from the Danish Civil Registry with information on risk attitudes from a longitudinal field experiment. Our econometric model accounts for endogenous sample selection and attrition processes that may confound inferences about temporal stability. Our experimental design builds in randomization on the incentives for participation that facilitates empirical identification of the model. In general, we find evidence consistent with temporal stability after correcting for the effects of selection and attrition. When neglected, these effects change our inferences in an economically and statistically significant manner.

Preferences on forgoing end-of-life treatment are stable over time with people owning an advance directive; A cohort study

ObjectiveWe studied if preferences about end-of-life care of people having an advance directive (AD) stay stable over time and if (in) stability is associated with health status. MethodsA longitudinal cohort study with a population owning different types of ADs (n = 4638). Respondents repeatedly answered questionnaires between 2005−2010. Using hypothetical scenarios about advanced cancer and dementia we assessed preferences for continuing or forgoing resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition and antibiotics. Using generalized estimated equations we analysed whether life-events and quality of life influenced changes in preferences. ResultsThe proportion of respondents with stable preferences ranged from 67 to 98 %. Preferences were most stable concerning resuscitation and least stable concerning mechanical ventilation. In only a few instances we found life-events or a change in quality of life could both increase or decrease odds to change preferences. ConclusionPreferences concerning continuing or forgoing treatment at the end of life are stable for a majority of people with ADs, which supports their validity. Practice implicationsThe value of on-going communication about preferences between patients and caregivers is confirmed by our findings concerning differences in stability between treatments and the association between stability of preferences and life-events or quality of life.

Discovery of Novel Nonpeptidic PAR2 Ligands.

Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is a class A G protein-coupled receptor whose activation has been associated with inflammatory diseases and cancer, thus representing a valuable therapeutic target. Pathophysiological roles of PAR2 are often characterized using peptidic PAR2 agonists. Peptidic ligands are frequently unstable in vivo and show poor bioavailability, and only a few approaches toward drug-like nonpeptidic PAR2 ligands have been described. The herein-described ligand 5a (IK187) is a nonpeptidic PAR2 agonist with submicromolar potency in a functional assay reflecting G protein activation. The ligand also showed substantial β-arrestin recruitment. The development of the compound was guided by the crystal structure of PAR2, when the C-terminal end of peptidic agonists was replaced by a small molecule based on a disubstituted phenylene scaffold. IK187 shows preferable metabolic stability and may serve as a lead compound for the development of nonpeptidic drugs addressing PAR2.

A prospective cohort study of stability in preference for place of death among patients with stage IV cancer.

e24148 Background: Advanced care planning (ACP) involves discussion and documentation of patients’ care preferences including their preference for place of death. This process assumes that patients’ preference will not change over time; yet evidence for this is inconclusive. The primary aim of this study was to test whether patient preference for place of death changes over time and to identify factors associated with this change. We also assessed whether patients who do not change their preference for place of death during the study duration have greater congruence between actual and baseline preference for place of death. Methods: As part of an ongoing cohort study, we surveyed 466 advanced cancer patients every 6 months in Singapore for a period of two years. We asked patients their preference for place of death (home/ institution/ unclear). We assessed proportion of patients who changed their preference from baseline and at every time point. We ran univariable and multivariable multinomial logistic regression models to assess the association between change in preference for place of death and patient socio-demographics (gender, race, education, housing, marital status) as well as time varying variables (quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy- General), pain severity (Brief Pain Inventory), psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), any intervening hospitalization). We used a logistic regression model to assess if no change in preference during the study period was associated with congruence between actual and baseline preference for place of death. Results: More than a quarter of patients changed their preference for place of death every 6 months with 55% changing their preference at least once within 2 years. There was no clear trend in direction of change in preference. Patients who were psychologically distressed at the time of survey had a greater relative risk of changing their preferred place of death to home (Relative Risk Ratio (RRR) 1.81; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.16-2.82) and to institution (RRR 2.00; 95% CI: 1.17-3.42) relative to no change in preference. Having no change in preference for place of death during the study period was not associated with congruence between actual and baseline preference for place of death. Conclusions: The study provides evidence of instability in advanced cancer patients’ preference for place of death. It calls into question the validity of patient preference for place of death recorded on ACP documents and suggests that we should regularly re-evaluate these documents.

Assessing the stability of biobank donor preferences regarding sample use: evidence supporting the value of dynamic consent.

Dynamic consent has been proposed as a strategy for addressing the limitations of traditional, broad consent for biobank participation. Although the argument for dynamic consent has been made on theoretical grounds, empirical studies evaluating the potential utility of dynamic consent are needed to enhance deliberations about the merits of dynamic consent. Few studies have assessed such considerations as whether donor preferences may change over time or if participants would use a dynamic consent mechanism to modify preferences when they change. We administered a 66-item survey to participants in a large DNA biobank. The survey sought to gauge the stability of donor preferences specified at the time of biobank enrollment, specifically the stability of donors’ preference regarding posthumous availability of biospecimens to next-of-kin. We received 1164 completed surveys for a response rate of 72%. Forty percent of respondents indicated a preference regarding sample availability on the survey (T2) that was inconsistent with the preference they had expressed when they enrolled in the biobank (T1). Most (94%) individuals with inconsistent preferences regarding sample availability had initially restricted sample availability at T1 but were comfortable with broader availability when asked at the time of the survey (T2). Our findings demonstrate that preferences regarding sample use expressed at the time of enrollment in a DNA biobank may not be reliable indicators of donor preferences over time. These findings lend empirical support to the case for a dynamic consent model in which biobank participants are approached over time to clarify their views regarding sample use.

Numerical Investigations of Cavitation Nose Structure of a High-Speed Projectile Impact on Water-Entry Characteristics

In this study, a detailed analysis of the influences of cavitation nose structure of a high-speed projectile on the trajectory stability during the water-entry process was investigated numerically. The Zwart-Gerber-Belamri (Z-G-B) cavitation model and the Shear Stress Ttransport (SST)k-ω turbulence model based on the Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) method were employed. The numerical methodology was validated by comparing the numerical simulation results with the experimental photograph of cavitation shape and the experimental underwater velocity. Based on the numerical methodology, the disk and the conical cavitation noses were selected to investigate the water-entry characteristics. The influences of cavitation nose angle and cavitation nose diameter of the projectile on the trajectory stability and flow characteristics were carried out in detail. The variation features of projectile trajectory, velocity attenuation and drag were conducted, respectively. In addition, the cavitation characteristics of water-entry is presented and analyzed. Results show that the trajectory stability can be improved by increasing the cavitation nose angle, but the drag reduction performance will be reduced simultaneously. Additionally, due to the weakening of drag reduction performance, the lower velocity of the projectile will cause the damage of the cavitation shape and the trajectory instability. Furthermore, the conical cavitation nose has preferable trajectory stability and drag reduction performance than the disk cavitation nose.

Effective brain connectivity at rest is associated with choice-induced preference formation.

Preferences can change as a consequence of making hard decisions whereby the value of chosen options increases and the value of rejected options decreases. Such choice‐induced preference changes have been associated with brain areas detecting choice conflict (anterior cingulate cortex, ACC), updating stimulus value (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, dlPFC) and supporting memory of stimulus value (hippocampus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, vmPFC). Here we investigated whether resting‐state neuronal activity within these regions is associated with the magnitude of individuals' preference updates. We fitted a dynamic causal model (DCM) to resting‐state neuronal activity in the spectral domain (spDCM) and estimated the causal connectivity among core regions involved in preference formation following hard choices. The extent of individuals' choice‐induced preference changes were found to be associated with a diminished resting‐state excitation between the left dlPFC and the vmPFC, whereas preference consistency was related to a higher resting‐state excitation from the ACC to the left hippocampus and vmPFC. Our results point to a model of preference formation during which the dynamic network configurations between left dlPFC, ACC, vmPFC and left hippocampus at rest are linked to preference change or stability.

Synthesis of Interpenetrating Polymer Networks Based on Triisocyanate-Terminated and Modified Poly(urethane-imide) with Superior Mechanical Properties.

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on triisocyanate-terminated poly(urethane-imide)s (PUIs) were prepared by in situ interpenetrating reactions between modified polyurethane (PU) with different ratios of polyimide (PI). The effects of PU, which was made from hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene modified with triisocyanate, and the amounts of PI on the mechanical properties, thermal properties, and crystalline character of the IPNs were discussed. Triisocyanate-terminated PUI showed that the highest tensile strength was 38 times that of the diisocyanate-terminated materials. Supramolecular cross-linking from an additional hydrogen-bonding network of modified PU and the degree of interpenetration with a regular imide structure of PI were introduced, which accounted for the remarkable improvement in mechanical properties of IPNs. Preferable thermal stability and glass transition temperature for the hard segment of IPNs were rewarded with increasing PI content. X-ray diffraction revealed vigorous segmental mixing between the soft and hard segments of modified PUI. Scanning electron micrographs showed the “fibrous assembly” morphology and short-range-ordered structure of modified PUI.

An Investigation of the Stability of Patients' Treatment Preferences Over the Course of a Clinical Trial.

The usefulness of discrete choice experiments (DCEs) to inform clinical guidelines rests on the assumption that patients facing the same treatment choice at different points in time will express the same preferences. This study provides the first investigation, to our knowledge, to specifically focus on the stability of patients' treatment preferences over the course of a clinical trial. The same DCE was completed by participants at baseline and final post-treatment assessment in a trial of the efficacy of alternative topical treatments for actinic keratosis as a means for the prevention of skin cancer. The study assesses both the consistency of stated treatment choices and the stability of population-level preference parameter estimates and analyzes how the former is influenced by design aspects of the DCE. No evidence was found of population-level preference parameter instability over the course of the trial despite only a moderate strength of choice consistency. Choice consistency is negatively related to task difficulty with weak evidence of the existence of ordering effects over the sequence of choice tasks. The results provide no evidence that the timing of a DCE within a clinical trial significantly influences population-level treatment preference estimates.

Are patient-regarding preferences stable? Evidence from a laboratory experiment with physicians and medical students from different countries

We quantify patient-regarding preferences by fitting a bounded rationality model to data from an incentivized laboratory experiment, where Chinese medical doctors, German medical students and Chinese medical students decide under different payment schemes. We find a remarkable stability in patient-regarding preferences when comparing subject pools and we cannot reject the hypothesis of equal patient-regarding preferences in the three groups. The results suggest that a health economic experiment can provide knowledge that reach beyond the student subject pool, and that the preferences of decision-makers in one cultural context can be of relevance in a very different cultural context.

Functionalized polar Octa(γ-chloropropyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane assisted polyimide nanofiber composite membrane with excellent ionic conductivity and wetting mechanical strength towards enhanced lithium-ion battery

Based on the urgent demand of excellent wetting mechanical strength electrospun nanofiber separators and some doping compounds which are beneficial to enhance electrochemical performance for Li-ion cell, in this study, a natty nanofiber composite membrane based on heat-resistant polyimide (PI) matrix via introducing polar Octa (γ-chloropropyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OCP-POSS) nanoparticles for the first time is resoundingly prepared by electrospinning technology. The hybrid PI/OCP-POSS separator (HOPS separator) with 3.5 wt% OCP-POSS nanoparticles presents significant improvement in wetting mechanical strength (11.8 MPa), eminent electrolyte retention rate (1025%) together with a tendency of gelation phase and still exerts laudable high thermal stability. Meanwhile, the battery with the HOPS separator exhibits preferable electrochemical stability window (5.2 V) and exceedingly excellent ionic conductivity (2.8 × 10−3 S cm−1). The most extraordinary is that the capacity retention reaches up to 81.45% after 100 cycles at 0.2 C and 91.96% in C-rates test, while the pristine PI separator merely achieves to 56.03% and 75.90%, respectively. In addition, the modified separator possesses more stable cycling properties than PP separator (Celgard 2400) at 1 C and 2 C rate, respectively, which all fully signifies that the heat-resistant HOPS separator has great application prospects in high-performance and advanced-safety lithium-ion battery.

Stability and Contingency in Federalism Preferences

AbstractThis article analyzes Americans’ preferences for making policy at the national versus the subnational level. Relying on a Pew Research Center survey question posed in multiple recent years, we investigate the extent to which partisanship and ideology are related to support for decentralization. As expected, Republicans and conservatives are more supportive of decentralization, whereas Democrats and liberals are less supportive. However, Republicans and Democrats respond asymmetrically to changes in party control of the federal government. Republicans’ support for decentralization is relatively unaffected by changes in party control, whereas Democrats’ support for decentralization increases when Republicans control the federal government. These results indicate that federalism‐based appeals in American politics tap into stable views about allocation of policy authority on the part of a subset of the electorate and in ways that can influence public officials’ support for decentralization.Evidence for Practice Republicans and conservatives in the electorate are generally more supportive of decentralization compared with independents and moderates, whereas Democrats and liberals are relatively less supportive. Republicans’ views on decentralization are relatively unaffected by changes in party control of the presidency and Congress, but Democrats become more supportive of decentralization when Republicans control the federal government. The greater stability of Republicans’ views on decentralization, in contrast with Democrats’ shifting views, indicates that Republican voters may be more likely than Democratic voters to hold their parties’ elected representatives accountable for deviating from conventional party positions on national versus subnational policy authority.

A dual-ligand fusion peptide improves the brain-neuron targeting of nanocarriers in Alzheimer's disease mice

The presence of blood-brain barrier (BBB) and specificity of neuron targeting remain two challenges in the effective delivery of nanotherapeutics for the treatment of Alzheimers disease (AD). Traditional strategy of nanocarriers for AD treatment involves co-decoration of both BBB-penetrating ligand and neuron-targeting ligand on the surface of the nanoparticles for “dual-stage” targeted delivery. Instead, we design and optimize a fusion peptide TPL comprising a BBB-penetrating peptide TGN and a neuron binding peptide Tet1 through a four-glycine linker. Compared to the mono-ligand Tet1 or CGN which is the retro-inverso isomer of TGN with higher brain targeting than TGN, the dual-ligand fusion peptide TPL has preferable blood stability and enhanced structural flexibility, resulting in higher binding affinity to either GT1b ganglioside receptor or brain capillary endothelial bEnd.3 cells. The TPL-modified nanoparticles (TPL-NP) increased the BBB-penetration and neuron-targeting efficacy than the nanoparticles co-decorated with the two mono-ligands. Encapsulation of a neuroprotective peptide NAP, TPL-NP significantly enhance reactive oxygen species scavenging ability and effectively protect microtubule from Aβ25‐35-induced neurotoxicity. Meanwhile, TPL-NP inhibit okadaic acid-induced tau aggregation and neuronal apoptosis. Administration of TPL-NP in AD mice also significantly improves the cognitive performance, down-regulates the tau phosphorylation level, promotes axonal transport and attenuates microgliosis. Taken together, this work demonstrates that the rationally designed dual-ligand fusion peptides can greatly improve the delivery of drugs to the AD lesions, thereby markedly enhancing the efficacy of AD treatment.

Construction of a heterometallic organic framework based on cuprous-halide clusters and lanthanide clusters with CO2 storage and transformation

A novel 3D porous heterometallic organic framework based on cuprous-halide clusters and lanthanide clusters, [(Cu4I4)2Tb3(NA)9·(H2O)6·(DEF)6]n, was successfully designed and synthesized during the solvothermal synthesis. The as-made sample was analysed by many methods. This material has the preferable stability and CO2 capture capacity, so it can be used as a potential heterogeneous catalyst for the chemical fixation of CO2 and epoxides to generate cyclocarbonates. Furthermore, this MOF can preserve its pristine structure after reusing four times.

Conditional cooperation: Type stability across games

To classify cooperation types, a sequential prisoner’s dilemma and a one-shot public goods game are convenient experimental setups. We explore the within subject stability of cooperation preferences in these two games. We find that the prisoner’s dilemma performs well in identifying conditional cooperators while it is only an imperfect tool for identifying selfish types in the public goods game.

How Elastic are Preferences for Redistribution? New Results on Partisan Polarization

I show that a stylized fact on the decades-long stability in preferences for income redistribution – which has surprised public economists, given the spike in inequality – masks a divergence across parties. I then demonstrate that the widening divide owes to preferences sorting rather than strengthening. Next, I return to survey experiments on the elasticity of preferences to information treatments and, in contrast to previous literature, I find a simple treatment that induces substantial support for taxation and redistribution among conservatives. This treatment closes upwards of half the gap in preferences between liberals and conservatives, a key finding amidst worsening polarization.

The Stability and Evolution of Risk Attitudes and Time Preferences After a Natural Disaster

By studying the short and medium run effects of the exposure to one of the largest recent earthquakes in Indonesia on risk and time preferences, we contribute to the literature on the stability of these parameters and the duration of the effects. We find a strong gender-specific effect one year after exposure which completely disappears within 8 years. Our analysis points to the importance of recovery efforts in mitigating the duration of the earthquakes effects on these parameters. We also rule out the mental health as a potential channel.

Shaking Things Up: On the Stability of Risk and Time Preferences

We conduct a survey and incentivized lab-in-the-field experimental tasks in Tirana, Albania. While the original purpose of our study was to examine whether and how deep parameters such as time and risk preferences affect the intention to migrate, our study was transformed into a natural experiment owing to two large earthquakes that shook the Tirana area during our data-collection period. These events provide us with a rare opportunity to gather evidence (including a pre-earthquake control) on the effect of natural disasters on time and risk preferences. We find unambiguous effects towards more risk aversion and impatience for affected individuals. Moreover, as it turns out, the second earthquake amplified the effect of the first one, suggesting that experiences cumulate in their influence on these preferences.