cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Educational interventions for teaching the new auditor independence rules

Abstract The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 brought sweeping changes to the accounting profession. One important mandate was for the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to strengthen the rules of auditor independence. To meet its legal responsibility, the SEC issued Final Rule No. 68 [United States Securities and Exchange Commission (USSEC) (2003). Final Rule 68: Strengthening the commission’s requirements regarding auditor independence . Washington, DC: Government Printing Office [Issue Date: January 28, 2003 ( www.sec.gov/rules/final/33-8183.htm and Retrieval Date: January 25, 2004)]], thereby adopting new independence rules for auditors of public companies. This paper provides accounting educators with a model and six educational interventions and supplemental resources for teaching independence. Methods and guidance for integrating the model into a one-semester auditing course are presented. Learning outcomes are presented and the effectiveness of the interventions for teaching independence to undergraduate accounting students is assessed. The outcomes show significant gains in learning and retention and students report a high level of learning benefit from and satisfaction with the independence project.
TOWARD THE MORE EFFICIENT USE OF ASSESSMENT CENTER TECHNOLOGY IN PERSONNEL SELECTION

Empirical research has consistently supported the validity and business utility of the assessment center method as a selection instrument. Nonetheless, the method as typically applied may be unnecessarily costly and inflexible. This paper begins by describing how the model for assessment center design that is widely used today came to be accepted as a standard. Then modifications in design and operation are discussed. These suggested modifications are intended to enhance the utility and flexibility of assessment centers, while at the same time maintaining, or even increasing, the validity of the process.
An evaluation of glyph perception for real symmetric traceless tensor properties

A perceptual study of four tensor glyphs for symmetric, real, traceless tensors was performed. Each glyph encodes three properties of the system: Orientation, uniaxiality (alignment along the direction of orientation), and biaxiality (alignment along a vector orthogonal to the orientation). Thirty users over two studies were asked to identify these three properties for each glyph type under a variety of permutations in order to evaluate the effectiveness of visually communicating the properties; response time was also measured. We discuss the significant differences found between the methods as guidance to the use of these glyphs for traceless tensor visualization.
Health Insurance and Retirement Behavior: Evidence from the Health and Retirement Survey

This paper studies the role of health insurance in the retirement decisions of older workers. As policymakers consider mechanisms for how to increase access to affordable health insurance for the near elderly, considerations of the potential labor force implications of such policies will be important to consider--potentially inducing retirements just at a time when the labor force is shrinking. Using data from the 1992 and 1996 waves of the Health and Retirement Survey, this study demonstrates that access to post-retirement health insurance has a large effect on retirement. Among older male workers, those with retiree health benefit offers are 68% more likely to retire (and those with non-employment based insurance are 44% more likely to retire) than their counterparts who would lose employment-based health insurance upon retirement. In addition, the study demonstrated that in retirement models, when retiree health benefits are controlled for, the effects of pension coverage are reduced, suggesting that these effects may have been overestimated in the prior literature.
Effect of retinal blur on the peak latency of the pattern evoked potential.

Abstract The latency of the first major positive component (P1) of the transient visually evoked potential (VEP) was measured using a checkerboard pattern stimulus under varying conditions of retinal blur. One emmetropic and four ametropic subjects were tested with spherical lenses of varying dioptric power. The results showed that P1 latency was shortest when visual acuity was optimal (i.e. when the pattern was least blurred) and that defocusing the retinal image had a greater effect on VEP latency for small checks (intermediate spatial frequencies) than for large checks (low spatial frequencies). When emmetropic subjects were tested with cylindrical lenses of varying dioptric power placed at each of four orientations (180°, 45°, 90° and 135°), P1 latency was delayed when the lenses were oriented such that both fundamental Fourier components of the checkerboard were blurred but was unaffected as long as at least one of the two oblique fundamentals remained in focus.
LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis for the quantification of morphine, codeine, morphine-3-β-D-glucuronide, morphine-6-β-D-glucuronide, and codeine-6-β-D-glucuronide in human urineJ. Mass Spectrom. 2005; 40: 1412-1416

The original article to which this Erratum refers was published in Journal of Mass Spectrometry 40, 2005, 1412–1416. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Incidence and risk factors for preincision hypotension in a noncardiac pediatric surgical population

of perioperative care in adults and children. It is however not known whether intraoperative hypotension (IOH) is clinically important in the ‘healthy’ pediatric patient. This may be partly due to the lack of data on the incidence and consequences of IOH in this group of patients. We utilized the Brain Trauma Foundation definition of hypotension to describe the incidence of preincision hypotension (PIH) in a large pediatric noncardiac surgical population and identified risk factors for the occurrence PIH. Methods: We examined the electronic perioperative records of all children aged 1–17 years undergoing general anesthesia for noncardiac surgeries between January 2005 and June 2007 in our institution. Frequency and factors associated with PIH were computed. Binary logistic regression with forward step-wise algorithm was used to examine factors associated with PIH. Results: There were 22 263 children of whom 57.6% were males. Most (94.9%) cases were elective, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I–II (79.5%) procedures. Inhalational induction was predominantly used in this cohort (67%) although 33% of patients had propofol either as a sole induction agent or as part of a ‘co-induction’ regime. Single or multiple episodes of PIH occurred in 35.8% of patients. PIH was more common in patients with ASA ‡ III (P < 0.001); those with preoperative hypotension (P < 0.001); and following intravenous induction (P < 0.001) as well as propofol co-induction (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis the following were significant predictors of PIH: baseline hypotension, propofol co-induction, age, ASA ‡ III, and long preincision period. Conclusion: Preincision hypotension is common in the pediatric surgical population undergoing general anesthesia. Factors independently predictive of PIH included high ASA status, pre-existing hypotension, propofol co-induction prolonged preincision period and adolescent age group. The importance of blood pressure monitoring,
Circumcision of Privately Insured Males Aged 0 to 18 Years in the United States

BACKGROUND: Male circumcision confers protection against HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and urinary tract infections. Compared with circumcision of postneonates (>28 days), circumcision of neonates is associated with fewer complications and usually performed with local rather than general anesthesia. We assessed circumcision of commercially insured males during the neonatal or postneonatal period. METHODS: We analyzed 2010 MarketScan claims data from commercial health plans, using procedural codes to identify circumcisions performed on males aged 0 to 18 years, and diagnostic codes to assess clinical indications for the procedure. Among circumcisions performed in the first year of life, we estimated rates for neonates and postneonates. We estimated the percentage of circumcisions by age among males who had circumcisions in 2010, and the mean payment for neonatal and postneonatal procedures. RESULTS: We found that 156 247 circumcisions were performed, with 146 213 (93.6%) in neonates and 10 034 (6.4%) in postneonates. The neonatal circumcision rate was 65.7%, and 6.1% of uncircumcised neonates were circumcised by their first birthday. Among postneonatal circumcisions, 46.6% were performed in males younger than 1 year and 25.1% were for nonmedical indications. The mean payment was $285 for a neonatal and $1885 for a postneonatal circumcision. CONCLUSIONS: The large number of nonmedical postneonatal circumcisions suggests that neonatal circumcision might be a missed opportunity for these boys. Delay of nonmedical circumcision results in greater risk for the child, and a more costly procedure. Discussions with parents early in pregnancy might help them make an informed decision about circumcision of their child.
Ptosis and cranial nerve IV palsy reveal juvenile myasthenia gravis.

Abstract Background Ptosis and strabismus are 2 common presenting complaints of preschool-age patients. In both cases, these conditions can be benign and require no further workup. However, sudden onset of these findings can indicate a more serious neurologic problem. If a patient presents with multiple neurologic signs, a sudden onset eye turn, or ptosis, the patient must undergo a workup to rule out a pathologic etiology, specifically a brain tumor. The workup should include neuroimaging. If the results of the neuroimaging are normal, and the findings are variable, myasthenia gravis should be considered, and additional testing should be ordered to assist in the diagnosis. Case report This case report presents a 3-year-old boy who presented with a sudden onset of ptosis and hypertropia. Diagnosis of myasthenia gravis was made based on clinical presentation and response to ice pack testing. The patient was treated with pyridostigmine (Mestinon®; Valent Pharmaceuticals, Costa Mesa, California) and has shown improvement in his clinical signs. Conclusions Although rare, myasthenia should be considered a diagnosis in children who present with variable ptosis or strabismus. Patients can be successfully treated with medication.
An elliptically-polarizing undulator with phase adjustable energy and polarization

Abstract We present a planar helical undulator designed to produce elliptically-polarized light. Helical magnetic fields may be produced by a variety of undulators with four parallel cassettes of magnets. In our design, all cassettes are mounted in two planes on slides so that they may be moved parallel to the electron beam. This allows us to produce X-rays of left- or right-handed elliptical or circular polarization as well as horizontal or vertical linear polarization. In model calculations, we have found that by sliding the top pair of rows with respect to the bottom pair, or the left pair with respect to the right pair, we retain the polarization setting but change the magnetic field strength, and hence the X-ray energy. This allows us to select both energy and polarization by independent phase adjustments alone, without changing the gap between the rows. Such a design may be simpler to construct than an adjustable-gap machine. We present calculations that model its operation and its effects on an electron beam.
The Activity Support Scale for Multiple Groups (ACTS-MG): Child-reported Physical Activity Parenting in African American and Non-Hispanic White Families.

This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of a child-report, multidimensional measure of physical activity (PA) parenting, the Activity Support Scale for Multiple Groups (ACTS-MG), in African American and non-Hispanic white families. The ACTS-MG was administered to children aged 5 to 12 years. A three factor model of PA parenting (Modeling of PA, Logistic Support, and Restricting Access to Screen-based Activities) was tested separately for mother's and fathers' PA parenting. The proposed three-factor structure was supported in both racial groups for mothers’ PA parenting and in the African American sample for fathers’ PA parenting. Factorial invariance between racial groups was demonstrated for mother's PA parenting. Building on a previous study examining the ACTS-MG parent-report, this study supports the use of the ACTS-MG child-report for mothers’ PA parenting. However, further research is required to investigate the measurement of fathers’ PA parenting across racial groups.
Abstract 2581: Curcubitacin B exhibits cytotoxic effects by inhibiting ILK-Paxillin signaling in breast cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Integrins are known to play an important role in promotion of cell motility and survival though activation of Integrin-Linked Kinase (ILK) signaling. Therefore ILK has been an attractive target to inhibit metastasis and tumor growth. Curcubitacin B (CuB) is a steroidal class of chemical present in the plants belonging to cucurbitaceae family. CuB has shown cytotoxic potential in several cancers by causing G2/M cell cycle arrest and inhibition of JAK/STAT3 pathway. However, the exact mechanism of CuB and its role in metastasis is not known. Integrins transmit cell survival signals through ILK-Paxillin complex and further play role in activating AKT signaling. This cascade ultimately works through the activation of Rho kinases like ROCK1 and RhoA. Our results show that CuB significantly suppressed the growth of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells in a concentration and time-dependent manner. CuB also induced apoptosis and down-regulated ILK1 expression. In addition, CuB suppressed the phosphorylation of AKT at Ser473, paxillin at Tyr118 and down-regulated ROCK1 protein expression. Previous studies have shown that heregulin, a ligand of HER2 induces paxillin expression, indicating a correlation between HER2 and paxillin. Interestingly we observed significant downregulation of paxillin in HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells, suggesting that CuB is equally effective in HER2 overexpressing tumor cells. Taken together our results indicate the anti-cancer effects of CuB in breast cancer cells by targeting paxillin, ILK and ROCK. Further detailed mechanistic work is in progress. [Supported in part by R01 grants CA106953 and CA129038 (to S.K.S) awarded by the National Cancer Institute]. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2581. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2581
Human Testosterone-Binding Globulin Is a Dimer Composed of Two Identical Protomers that Are Differentially Glycosylated

Affinity-purified human testosterone-binding globulin (hTeBG) is composed of two subunits [mol wt (Mr), 52,200 and 48,600], as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), electrophoretic transfer, and immunochemical localization with a monoclonal antibody raised against rat androgen-binding protein. Fluorography of SDS-PAGE gels on which photoaffinity-labeled hTeBG was analyzed yielded essentially identical results. Enzymatic deglycosylation of hTeBG with neuraminidase to remove sialic acid led to the production of two subunits of 50,800 and 47,300 Mr when assessed by SDS-PAGE. Treatment of hTeBG with an optimal concentration of N-glycanase to remove Asn-linked oligosaccharides produced a single subunit of 44,100 Mr. When hTeBG was treated with neuraminidase and O-glycanase to remove O-linked oligosaccharides, three subunits were seen, two of which had Mr not clearly different from those obtained with neuraminidase treatment alone plus a subunit of 40,900 Mr. Treatme...
Distortion-class modeling for robust speech recognition under GSM RPE-LTP coding

Abstract We present a method to reduce the degradation in recognition accuracy introduced by full-rate GSM RPE-LTP coding by combining sets of acoustic models trained under different distortion conditions. During recognition, the a posteriori probabilities of an utterance are calculated as a weighted sum of the posteriors corresponding to the individual models. The phonemes used by the system’s word pronunciations are grouped into classes according to amount of distortion they undergo in coding. The acoustic model used in the decoding process is a weighted combination of models derived from clean speech and models derived from speech that had been degraded by GSM coding (the source models), with the relative combination of the two sources depending on the extent to which each class of phonemes is degraded by the coding process. To determine the distortion class membership, and hence the weights, we measure the spectral distortion introduced to the quantized long-term residual by the RPE-LTP codec. We discuss how this distortion varies according to phonetic class. The method described reduces the degradation in recognition accuracy introduced by GSM coding of sentences in the TIMIT database by more than 70% relative to the baseline accuracy obtained in matched training and testing conditions with respect to a system using the source acoustic models, and up to 60% relative to the best baseline systems regardless of the number of Gaussians.
Equal areas rules for filamentation in SNDC elements

Abstract Conditions for the formation of cylindrical current filaments in semiconductors with current controlled negative differential conductivity (SNDC) are derived. They are given in terms of equal areas rules which determine the filament radius and the thickness of the filament walls as a function of the applied field. Trapping of electrons and holes is explicitly taken into regard for single-carrier as well as for two carrier electronic SNDC mechanisms. In the latter case this leads to modifications of the standard ambipolar transport properties. Threshold switching through filamentation is also discussed.
Irrational Beliefs and the Experience and Expression of Anger

The present study assessed rational-emotive theories of anger by examining the interrelationships of irrational beliefs and the experience and expression of anger. An audiotaped anger-provoking scenario was used to determine whether irrational beliefs predicted state anger and hostile thoughts following provocation. After completing measures of irrational beliefs, trait anger, and anger expression and control, 161 college students were exposed to the provoking stimulus, which was followed by measures of state anger and hostile thoughts. Findings showed both low frustration tolerance and awfulizing were related to trait anger, anger suppression, and outward anger expression. Only low frustration tolerance was related to state anger following provocation. However, awfulizing was associated with all hostile thoughts, and both self-directed shoulds and self-worth were associated with derogatory thoughts about others. Only awfulizing had incremental validity over trait anger, and then, only in the prediction of derogatory thoughts.
Behavioral approaches for chronic low back pain

This work reviews the evidence for the efficacy of cognitive behavioral and behavioral interventions for chronic low back pain. Several meta-analyses of randomized control studies indicate that behavioral and cognitive behavioral approaches are effective in the treatment of chronic low back pain. Furthermore, there is evidence that patients who receive both medical and psychological treatment not only improved their functional capacity but also spend fewer health care dollars after their treatment has ended. Patients who received medical treatment alone not only got worse but spent more money after post treatment.
Improved handling of embedding plastics for electron microscopy.

SUMMARY An improved, safer, rapid method for preparing embedding plastics for electron microscopy is described. The method consists of contained storage and dispensing of individual plastic components on an automatic tare balance. The proportions are based on weight measurements and may be calculated from volume or proportion recipes. The usual problems in and resulting from embedding plastic handling have been eliminated.
Plasticity of hamster circadian entrainment patterns depends on light intensity.

The multiple oscillatory basis of the mammalian circadian pacemaker is adduced by, among other phenomena, the occurrence of split locomotor activity rhythms in rodents after prolonged exposure to constant light. More recently, split rhythms entrained to a 24h light:dark:light:dark cycle have been documented following scheduled access of hamsters to a novel running wheel or by photoperiod manipulations alone. Because the incidence of constant light-induced splitting depends on light intensity, the role of this variable was assessed in this new splitting paradigm. Male Syrian hamsters, entrained to a 14h light:10h dark cycle, were transferred to individual running wheel cages 7h after light onset. Transfer coincided with the beginning of the scotophase of a new photocycle alternating between 5h of relative dark and 7h of light. For four weeks bright photophases (∼350 lux) were alternated with either dim (<0.1 lux) or completely dark (0 lux) scotophases. An additional group received moderate intensity photop...
Serious social games: Designing a business simulation game

This paper describes a newly released educational game called StoreWorld(TM) that introduces students to fundamental business concepts. Although many educational games introduce business concepts, they were founded many years ago and lack modern innovations. The core innovation that StoreWorld attempts to address is how social interaction can enhance simulation in the field of business gaming. After giving some background about related games, the authors provide an overview of the design and implementation of StoreWorld in regard to business modeling, education, and social interaction. The paper gives preliminary results and concludes with future directions of design.
Transient fertility after vasovasostomy

Abstract Sperm generally appear in the ejaculate within three weeks after vasovasostomy, but may soon disappear because of scarring of the anastomotic site. For this reason attempt at conception early after the operation should be encouraged.
Reconstructive explanation: A case study in integral calculus

Abstract Expert system explanation has been a significant area of research since the inception of expert systems themselves. The traditional approach to explanation involves the generation of a line of explanation (the reasoning presented in the explanation) that is almost exclusively based on the line of reasoning. Recent reports have described a reconstructive approach to explanation in which the line of explanation and the line of reasoning are often quite distinct and largely decoupled. These reports have emphasized the intuitive motivations for such a reconstructive approach. Our article describes an explicit study of the level and type of decoupling between explanation and problem solving. In particular, we present protocol analysis results showing concrete examples of reconstructive explanation within the area of integral calculus. Further, we discuss the implications of these findings on the instruction of integral calculus.
Pre-Service Foreign Language Teachers' Attitudes of Privilege and Oppression.

Over the past several years multicultural education has seen an increased attention in teacher preparation. However, little research exists that examines the attitudes of pre-service teachers related to white privilege. This study is a quantitative exploration of the attitudes of pre-service foreign language teachers on a variety of social issues related to oppression (i.e. sexism, heterosexism, white privilege, religion). Students in a secondary foreign language methods course (N=19) completed pre- and post-instruction questionnaires to determine the effect of an intervention and intentional discussion regarding white privilege and oppression on their attitudes towards these social issues. The mean test scores were analyzed using a paired-samples t-test which resulted in a significant change in attitudes regarding white privilege. Suggestion for further research includes determining the effect for general education pre-service teachers compared to Foreign Language teachers.
Nonperturbative U(1) gauge theory at finite temperature

For compact U(1) lattice gauge theory we have performed a finite size scaling analysis on ${N}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}{N}_{s}^{3}$ lattices for ${N}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ fixed by extrapolating spatial volumes of size ${N}_{s}\ensuremath{\le}18$ to ${N}_{s}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$. Within the numerical accuracy of the thus-obtained fits, we find for ${N}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}=4$, 5 and 6 second order critical exponents, which exhibit no obvious ${N}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ dependence. The exponents are consistent with 3d Gaussian values, but not with either first order transitions or the universality class of the 3d XY model. As the 3d Gaussian fixed point is known to be unstable, the scenario of a yet unidentified nontrivial fixed point close to the 3d Gaussian emerges as one of the possible explanations.
A generalized 2D non-local lattice spring model for fracture simulation

A generalized 2D non-local lattice spring model, the Volume-Compensated Particle Model (VCPM), is proposed for the study of fracture phenomena of homogeneous isotropic solids in this paper. In the proposed VCPM, both the pairwise local and the multi-body non-local interaction forces among particles are considered. Special focus is on the investigation of the failure anisotropy or directional preference of the crack path while modeling fracture phenomena within the framework of regular lattice spring models. Different from random network models, a generalized regular lattice framework to include multiple non-local forces from neighboring particles is proposed to eliminate/reduce this well-known failure anisotropy issue. Several benchmarks are tested to assess the performance of the proposed methodology. Discussions and conclusions are drawn based on the current study.
Depth preference in zebrafish, Danio rerio: control by surface and substrate cues

We examined depth preference in adult zebrafish in a modified visual cliff apparatus, in which distance from the water surface and distance from the substrate could be independently manipulated. In one condition, when the two sides of the apparatus genuinely differed in depth, subjects showed a powerful preference for the deeper side. In another condition, both sides of the tank were set to the same depth using a glass insert, but one side was made to appear deeper by placing gravel substrate just below the glass floor on one side, and far below the glass floor on the other, in an analogue of the visual cliff paradigm. Although terrestrial animals tend to avoid the ‘deeper’-looking side of a visual cliff apparatus, zebrafish preferred the side that appeared deeper. They showed no preference for the side in which they could be closer to the gravel substrate. This effect appeared whether or not the gravel represented a novel stimulus for the fish. We conclude that escape from the surface, rather than approach to the substrate, motivates the diving response in zebrafish.
Spirochetes come in from the cold.

Spirochetes alter their major surface proteins in response to the temperature change that accompanies their passage from tick vector to mammalian host.
Non-linear compartmental systems: Extensions of S.R. Bernard's urn model

One of the limitations of stochastic, linear compartmental systems is the small degree of variability in the contents of compartments. S. R. Bernard's (1981) urn model (S. R. Bernardet al., Bull. math. Biol.43, 33–45.) which allows for bulk arrivals and departures from a one-compartment system, was suggested as a way of increasing content variability. In this paper, we show how the probability distribution of the contents of an urn model may be simply derived by studying an appropriate set of exchangeable random variables. In addition, we show how further increases in variability may be modeled by allowing the size of arrivals and departures to be random.
Using Yager's t-norms for aggregation of fuzzy intervals

The extension principle is one of the basic ideas in fuzzy set theory. In this paper Yager's family of t-norms is used within the formulation of this principle. A generalization for the resulting formulas of extended addition and multiplication to n fuzzy sets is given. Also a procedure to fix the parameter in Yager's t-norms using information given by the user of the underlying specific model, is presented. The paper ends with two applications using the described procedure.
Efficacy of surgical preparation solutions in lumbar spine surgery.

Background: Postoperative spinal wound infections are relatively common and are often associated with increased morbidity and poor long-term patient outcomes. The purposes of this study were to identify the common bacterial flora on the skin overlying the lumbar spine and evaluate the efficacy of readily available skin-preparation solutions in the elimination of bacterial pathogens from the surgical site following skin preparation. Methods: A prospective randomized study was undertaken to evaluate 100 consecutive patients undergoing elective lumbar spine surgery. At the time of surgery, the patients were randomized to be treated with one of two widely used, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, surgical skin-preparation solutions: ChloraPrep (2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 70% isopropyl alcohol) or DuraPrep (0.7% available iodine and 74% isopropyl alcohol). Specimens for aerobic and anaerobic cultures were obtained prior to skin preparation (pre-preparation), after skin preparation (post-preparation), and after wound closure (post-closure). A validated neutralization solution was used for each culture to ensure that the antimicrobial activity was stopped immediately after the sample was taken. Positive cultures and specific bacterial pathogens were recorded. Results: Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Propionibacterium acnes, and Corynebacterium were the most commonly isolated organisms prior to skin preparation. The overall rate of positive cultures prior to skin preparation was 82%. The overall rate of positive cultures after skin preparation was 0% (zero of fifty) in the ChloraPrep group and 6% (three of fifty) in the DuraPrep group (p = 0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.006 to 0.085). There was an increase in positive cultures after wound closure, but there was no difference between the ChloraPrep group (34%, seventeen of fifty) and the DuraPrep group (32%, sixteen of fifty) (p = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.284 to 0.483). Body mass index (BMI), duration of surgery, and estimated blood loss did not a show significant association with post-closure positive culture results. Conclusions: ChloraPrep and DuraPrep are equally effective skin-preparation solutions for eradication of common bacterial pathogens on the skin overlying the lumbar spine. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Grain Dynamics and Inter-grain Coupling in Dusty Plasma Coulomb Crystals

We review our results on the lattice structure and the lattice dynamics of dusty plasma Coulomb crystals formed in rectangular conductive grooves. The basic structure appears to be made of mutually repulsive columns of grains confined by the walls of the groove. The columns are oriented along the direction of the electrode sheath electric field. Inter-grain coupling as a function of plasma temperature and density were investigated by measurement of these parameters. A simple phenomenological model wherein the inter-grain spacing along the column results from an attractive electric field induced dipole-dipole force balanced by a repulsive monopole Coulomb force is consistent with observed features of the Coulomb crystal. In addition, here we present some preliminary measurements of the vibration and rotation dynamics of the individual grains in the Coulomb crystal. The thermal energy of the dust grain thus calculated is much less than the inter-grain Coulomb potential energy as required for the formation of stable structures. Also the observed rotational frequency is consistent with the assumption of thermal equilibrium between the dust grains and the neutral gas.
Image transforms for determining fit-for-purpose complexity of geostatistical models in flow modeling

Increased diversity of water or energy resources has led to an increased complexity in models aimed at representing accurately dynamic behavior and geological variability in such systems. In terms of variability of properties at least, simple layered models have mostly been replaced with more complex geostatistical models. The newest trend is to replace covariance-based models with geologically more realistic models such as Boolean, multiple-point, surface-, or process-based models. In this paper, we address the following question: given some design purpose or a set of flow-based decision variables, does adding more complexity increase predictability and ultimately improve decisions based on such models? In this paper, we do not attempt to make any generalizing statements or answer this question with yes/no, but provide some initial ideas on practical workflows to discover the needed complexity. We do treat complexity only in the context of decision making under uncertainty. Two workflows are proposed: complexifying versus simplifying. In these workflows, we attempt to extract, using image transforms, relevant features of the variability between geostatistical realizations that are related to uncertainty in flow dynamics. A simple distance-based calibration between the static variability and dynamic variability provides a means to decide on what the relevant complexity of geostatistical models should be for the given purpose.
Glucosyltransferase activity in kidney fractions of normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Abstract Glucosyltransferase (UDPglucose; galactosylhydroxylysine-basement membrane glucosyltransferase), an enzyme specifically involced in collagen synthesis, was measured in various kidney fractions of normal, diabetic and underfed rats, using as basis the incorporation of radioactivity into protein during incubation with UDP[U- 14 C]glucose and alkali-soluble fetal calf-skin collagen. Three criteria of enzyme activity were compared: A, total radiactivity of the washed protein precipitate; B, this figure minus activity incorporated in the absence of the collagen acceptor; and C, radioactivity incorporated into the mixed amino acid fraction, collected by elution with dilute NH 4 OH from a Dowex 50 resin column after alkaline hydrolysis of the protein. Method A was found satisfactory using whole medulla or isolated glomeruli, since the average proportions of total protein radioactivity recovered in the NH 3 fraction were 0.81 and 0.87, respectively, and the deviations were small. There was a larger and variable proportion of nonspecific incorporation using whole cortex. Incubation of a control set of sample without added collagen was found to be unnecessary (Method B). Per mg protein, medulla and glomeruli had more enzyme than did whole cortex. In diabetes, activity was enhanced in the 10 000 X g supernatant fraction of cortex, as previously reported. However, the increase associated with diabetes even more consistent in the medulla, averaging 3-fold in the 10 000 X g pellet fraction. No increase was found in isolated glomeruli in diabetes. Also, no increase was seen in the kidneys of non-diabetic rats with body weight similar to that of the diabetics.
Hyperventilation and panic disorder

Hyperventilation syndrome and panic disorder are both common, serious, and easily treatable disorders. The similarity of their symptoms and physiology, the demonstration of hyperventilation during spontaneous and laboratory-induced panic episodes, provocation of panic-like symptoms in some patients with panic disorder using hyperventilation, the importance of psychologic factors in producing hyperventilation, and successful treatment of panic disorder with breathing retraining all indicate a strong association between these two conditions. About 50 percent of patients in each group show evidence of both disorders. It is suggested that many patients in each group show evidence of both disorders. It is suggested that many patients with either diagnosis have the same disorder and share a biologically and often genetically determined hypersensitivity of a central "alarm" system. Panic and hyperventilation provoked by inappropriate activation of this system are postulated to reinforce each other by a positive feedback loop. Treatments directed at any part of this loop are likely to be successful. Clinical implications of the link between these conditions are discussed.
Terrorism, Regime Change, and Just War: Reflections on Michael Walzer

Abstract This article explores the ethics of terrorism and its relation to the problem of regime change. It begins by broadly endorsing Michael Walzer's assessment of terrorism in Just and Unjust Wars and, more recently, Arguing About War, arguing that because terrorism involves the deliberate killing of noncombatants, it is not just morally problematic, but beyond the pale of just war thinking. Indeed, in its very randomness, terrorism rejects the very idea of ethics and violates all codes, laws, and traditions that attempt to limit violent conduct. The final part of the paper turns to the question of regime change and suggests that tyrannical regimes, like terrorists, reject the very idea of ethical limits. The article ends by endorsing the ‘responsibility to protect’ and suggesting that criminal or rogue states ought to lose their sovereign rights to non-intervention.
Vertical Temperature Structure During the 1966 Thanksgiving Week Air Pollution Episode in New York City

Abstract This paper presents time cross-sections of vertical temperature structure during the 1966 Thanksgiving week air pollution episode in New York City, based on 6-hourly soundings at Kennedy Airport. The analyses depict numerous inversions in the lower 10,000 ft of the atmosphere, including an interesting sequence of surface-based inversions and an outstanding inversion aloft. Diurnal and daily variations in the height of the mixing layer can also be seen. Some possible influences of the vertical temperature structure on SO2 concentrations in Manhattan are discussed, and it is suggested that exceptional peak SO2 concentrations were largely due to the fumigation process.
Forecasting performance of multivariate time series models with full and reduced rank: An empirical examination

Abstract Since Quenouille's influential work on multiple time series, much progress has been made towards the goal of parameter reduction and model fit. Relatively less attention has been paid to the systematic evaluation of out-of-sample forecast performance of multivariate time series models. In this paper, we update the hog data set studied by Quenouille (and other researchers who followed him). We re-estimate his model with extended observations (1867–1966), and generate recursive one- to four-steps-ahead forecasts for the period of 1967 through 2000. These forecasts are compared to forecasts from an unrestricted vector autoregression, a reduced rank regression model, an index model and a cointegration-based error correction model. The error correction model that takes into account both nonstationarity of the data and rank reduction performs best at all four forecasting horizons. However, differences among competing models are statistically insignificant in most cases. No model consistently encompasses the others at all four horizons.
Effect of buprenorphine on the cardiovascular and respiratory response to visceral pain in conscious rabbits.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of buprenorphine administration on the cardiovascular and respiratory responses to noxious colorectal distension in conscious rabbits. Study design Prospective experimental trial. Animals Fifteen healthy, young adult New Zealand white rabbits (eight female). Methods Experiments were performed on conscious rabbits that were instrumented with intraabdominal arterial and venous catheters, and diaphragmatic and abdominal electromyographic electrodes. Colorectal distension was achieved by inflation of an acutely placed colorectal balloon catheter until mean arterial pressure increased 10–15 mmHg. Buprenorphine (0.06 mg) or saline was administered intravenously prior to, or during colorectal distension. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, abdominal electromyographic activity, and intra-balloon pressure were monitored. Results In the absence of colorectal distension, buprenorphine increased arterial blood pressure and decreased respiratory rate but did not change heart rate. Colorectal distension increased arterial blood pressure and heart rate, and decreased respiratory rate. The increase in arterial blood pressure associated with colorectal distension was attenuated following preemptive buprenorphine, but was not changed by buprenorphine administered during distension. Conclusions and clinical relevance If cardiovascular changes reflect the intensity of noxious stimulation, then these results support the preemptive administration of buprenorphine for visceral analgesia.
UIUC: A Knowledge-rich Approach to Identifying Semantic Relations between Nominals

This paper describes a supervised, knowledge-intensive approach to the automatic identification of semantic relations between nominals in English sentences. The system employs different sets of new and previously used lexical, syntactic, and semantic features extracted from various knowledge sources. At SemEval 2007 the system achieved an F-measure of 72.4% and an accuracy of 76.3%.
Practicing primary care physicians' perspectives on the junior surgical clerkship.

Purpose Changing emphasis on educating generalist physicians prompted us to survey practicing primary care physicians to determine their perception of the lecture content and clinical skills required of students in our third-year surgical clerkship. Methods A 72-item questionnaire was developed. Respondents were asked to evaluate the relative importance of lecture topics and clinical skills on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Respondents were also asked about their medical practice and demographic information. Primary care physicians were randomly selected from among those registered in our state's medical association. Results Nearly 70% of physicians in the sample responded. Although there were significant differences in responses among the primary care physicians surveyed, virtually all indicated that faculty should teach pathways in surgical management with emphasis on when to refer the patient to a surgeon. Conclusions The changing health care climate necessitates a closer examination of undergraduate surgical curricula with attention to the educational needs of the generalist physician.
A precipitate coarsening mechanism for buried layer formation by ion implantation

Abstract Buried monocrystalline aluminum layers have been formed in (1010) beryllium targets by implanting 200 keV Al + to a dose of 1.1 × 10 18 Al/cm 2 and subsequently annealing the implanted material. Here we present a precipitate coarsening mechanism for aluminum layer formation based on the morphologies observed with electron microscopy. The evolution from a lamellar morphology in the as-implanted state to an aluminum layer with adjacent bands of aluminum precipitates in the annealed state is consistent with the occurrence of two different coarsening processes: one dependent on diffusion through beryllium which is responsible for the precipitate bands; and the second dependent on diffusion through aluminum and/or along Al-Be interfaces which is responsible for the layer. We conclude that formation of precipitate bands adjacent to a buried layer, elemental or compound, is evidence that the layer formed by a coarsening mechanism dominated by diffusion through the precipitated phase and/or along interphase boundaries.
Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of cyclohexenyl norbornene in air and protic media using ruthenium‐based catalysts

Optimized ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) conditions for cyclohexenyl norbornene (CHNB) have been determined. ROMP of CHNB was carried out with ruthenium trichloride hydrate and ruthenium benzylidene catalysts. The effects of mol % catalyst, type of catalyst, use of a dissolution aid (for RuCl3 · ×H2O), reaction time and temperature on conversion and gel time were investigated. ROMP with 0.0027 mol % ruthenium benzylidene at room temperature gave CHNB conversions ranging from 97 to 99% with gel times of ca. 24 min. With ruthenium trichloride hydrate and using ethanol as a dissolution aid, only 60–80% conversions with gel times of ca. 43 min occurred at 55–60°C. The obtained polyCHNB's were crosslinked or not, epending on ROMP conditions. All polyCHNB' exhibited 5% weight loss at ca. 420 and 430°C under nitrogen and air atmospheres, respectively. The DSC measured glass transition temperature of all polyCHNB samples was 105°C. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67: 183–190, 1998
Odor familiarity alters mitral cell response in the olfactory bulb of neonatal rats

Previous studies have shown that rat pups have an enhanced metabolic activity to familiar odors in specific glomeruli of the olfactory bulb. The present study examined extracellularly recorded mitral cell responses to odors in this glomerular region, in odor-familiar and odor-unfamiliar pups. Mitral cells in odor-familiar pups had significantly fewer excitatory and more inhibitory responses to the familiar odor than controls. There were no differences between groups in responses to a novel odor. These results demonstrate that neonatal exposure to odors selectively alters subsequent mitral cell responsiveness to that odor.
Performance of thin borosilicate glass sheets at 351 nm

Previously, we reported preliminary results for commercial thin borosilicate glass sheets evaluated for use as a frequently-replaced optic to separate the radiation and contamination produced by the inertial confinement fusion experiments in the National Ignition Facility target chamber from the expensive precision laser optics which focus and shape the 351-nm laser beam. The goal is identification of low cost substrates that can deliver acceptable beam energy and focal spots to the target. The two parameters that dominate the transmitted beam quality are the transmitted wave front error and 351-nm absorption. Commercial materials and fabrication processes have now been identified which meet the beam energy and focus requirements for all of the missions planned for the National Ignition Facility. We present the first data for use of such an optic on the National Ignition Facility laser.
Masculine gender role stress: Implications for the assessment of men

Abstract There has been increasing awareness of an association between masculine gender role and various physical and mental health disorders in men. Based on a psychosocial view of masculinity we have developed a cognitvely mediated notion of gender role stress (MGRS). This view rests on the assumption that rigid commitment to masculine schemata for the appraisal and coping with life's problems may both produce stress and result in dysfunctional coping patterns in men. The empirical development of a measure of MGRS is described, and five factors are identified that relate to psychophysiological measures of stress. The review then discusses how reliance on masculine schemata can lead to gender role stress and dysfunctional coping behaviors. These behaviors are presented as the inhibition of emotional expressiveness, reliance on aggression, power, and control, and obsession with achievement and success. The utility of the concept of masculine gender role stress in the assessment of men's health is discussed.