cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do auditor resignations reduce uncertainty about the quality of firms’ financial reporting?

Abstract We assess the conditions under which auditor resignations reduce uncertainty about the quality of financial reporting of former and continuing clients of the resigning auditor. Our analysis is based on a sample of 109 auditor resignations in the period 1994–1998. Approximately one-quarter of these resignation announcements are accompanied by disclosure of a disagreement over accounting treatment or over the adequacy of internal controls—factors that point toward diminished credibility of former client’s financial statements—and are associated with negative abnormal returns for the former client. In contrast, we find no stock market effect for the remaining firms (i.e., three-quarters of our sample) for which the auditor resignations are “unexplained”, suggesting that the act of resignation, by itself, is not informative. Further, we find that these unexplained resignations, which likely result from auditors’ periodic risk-related reviews of their client portfolios, transfer value-relevant information to another class of investors. In particular, we find that industry matched continuing clients of the auditor that also have poor performance experience positive abnormal returns in the days surrounding media-announced resignations from former clients. This suggests that in an environment where poorly performing, high-risk audit clients are screened contemporaneously, an auditor’s unexplained resignation from one client, but not from a similar client in its portfolio, helps reduce uncertainty about the credibility of continuing clients’ financial reporting.
Hypercalcemia fails to suppress elevated serum parathyroid hormone concentrations during lactation in rats

We have previously reported that increased serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) in the lactating (L) rat is generally accompanied by hypocalcemia when diets containing 0.4% calcium (Ca) or less are fed. However, instances were also observed in which elevated iPTH levels did not coincide with a hypocalcemic signal. To test the hypothesis that iPTH levels can remain elevated even in the presence of hypercalcemia in lactation, a diet containing 1.2% Ca and 0.4% phosphorus (P) was fed to lactating rats in three experiments (A, B, and C) to achieve serum ionized calcium (ICa) levels approximately 10% above levels for nonmated (NM) controls. The serum ICa of NM controls fed the 1.2% Ca diet was slightly, but significantly, elevated, and serum iPTH (determined by an N-terminal specific assay) was significantly suppressed compared with NM controls fed a 0.4% Ca diet. In experiment A, L rats fed a 1.2% Ca diet had 81% higher serum iPTH levels than NM controls fed the same diet in spite of a mean (+/- SEM) ICa level of 1.77 +/- 0.05 mM for L rats versus 1.46 +/- 0.01 mM for NM controls; NM controls fed a 0.4% Ca diet had serum ICa of 1.37 +/- 0.01 mM. This novel finding of significantly higher iPTH and ICa in L compared with NM rats fed a 1.2% Ca and 0.4% P diet was confirmed in experiment B with eight rats in each group of L or NM rats fed either the 1.2% or the 0.4% Ca diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Entrepreneur characteristics and the prediction of new venture success

Abstract Venture capitalists are experts who specialize in evaluating new business ventures. When asked how, they stress the overwhelming importance of the entrepreneur. In this paper, entrepreneur characteristics are identified and then examined for predictive potential. Models are developed on the basis of venture capitalists' judgments for these characteristics and for the level of venture success. A second set of models is based on actual venture outcome as the criterion. Lastly, the performance of the models and expert judgments are compared.
A graph-based immune-inspired constraint satisfaction search

We propose an artificial immune algorithm to solve constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs). Recently, bio-inspired algorithms have been proposed to solve CSPs. They have shown to be efficient in solving hard problem instances. Given that recent publications indicate that immune-inspired algorithms offer advantages to solve complex problems, our main goal is to propose an efficient immune algorithm which can solve CSPs. We have calibrated our algorithm using relevance estimation and value calibration (REVAC), which is a new technique recently introduced to find the parameter values for evolutionary algorithms. The tests were carried out using randomly generated binary constraint satisfaction problems and instances of the three-colouring problem with different constraint networks. The results suggest that the technique may be successfully applied to solve CSPs.
Modeling and motion simulation of a three-wheeled mobile robot with front wheel driven and steered taking into account wheels’ slip

The problem of modeling of dynamics of a three-wheeled mobile robot with front wheel driven and steered is analyzed in this paper. Kinematical structure and kinematics of the robot are described. A universal methodology of analytical modeling of robot’s dynamics is applied. This methodology takes into account wheel-ground contact conditions and wheels’ slip. Its essence is the use of a contact model of deformable tire with rigid ground and division of the robot’s dynamics model into parts connected with wheels, including tire model, and with the mobile platform. The tire model used in this paper results from empirical dependencies determined during investigations of car tires. Ground geometry and type are specified in the environment model. Tire-ground interface is characterized by coefficients of friction and rolling resistance. The robot model takes into account the presence of friction in kinematical pairs. The model of servomotors is included as well. The important part of this work is simulation research performed using Matlab/Simulink package. Simulation research includes solving of the forward and inverse dynamics problems as well as the tracking control task. During simulations, the robot was moving on concrete and on a piece of ice. The simulation research enabled verification of the elaborated solutions.
Microbial Flora Observed within Sections of the Oviduct in Naturally Mated, Artificially Inseminated, and Virgin Hens

Abstract Eighteen 36-week old broiler breeder hens were used to determine the extent and type of bacteria present in the oviduct of the hen. These were randomly assigned to three equal groups to be treated as virgin, naturally mated, or artificially inseminated hens. Treatments were applied for approximately 2 weeks. The oviducts were excised and four sections (vagina, uterus, isthmus, and magnum) were separated with the aid of hemostats. Sterile saline was injected into each section. Each section was agitated, an aliquot withdrawn, and streak plated on nutrient, MacConkey, chocolate, and blood agar plates. Bacterial identifications were made. Staphylococcus spp. was the predominate genus in the virgin group. Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Proteus spp., and Escherichia Coli were the major bacteria found in naturally mated hens. Staphylococcus spp. and diphtheroid bacilli were the major microbes found in artificially inseminated hens with Proteus spp., E. coli, Enterobacter spp., and some nonfermenting gram-negative rods isolated. Coliform bacteria were more numerous in naturally mated hens when compared to other treatments. Artificial insemination does not appear to introduce more types or numbers of bacteria into the oviduct than does natural mating.
A note on gradient maintenance in a salt gradient solar pond

Construction d'un algorithme numerique utilisable pour la commande d'un diffuseur a balayage destine au maintien du gradient de densite dans un bassin solaire a gradient de salinite. Verification de l'algorithme par des experiences dans un reservoir de laboratoire
Tunnel magnetoresistance and spin torque switching in MgO-based magnetic tunnel junctions with a Co/Ni multilayer electrode

We have fabricated MgO-barrier magnetic tunnel junctions with a Co/Ni switching layer to reduce the demagnetizing field via interface anisotropy. With a fcc-(111) oriented Co/Ni multilayer combined with an FeCoB insertion layer, the demagnetizing field is 2 kOe and the tunnel magnetoresistance can be as high as 106%. Room-temperature measurements of spin-torque switching are in good agreement with predictions for a reduced critical current associated with the small demagnetization for antiparallel-to-parallel switching. For parallel-to-antiparallel switching the small demagnetization field causes spatially nonuniform reversal nucleated at the sample ends, with a low energy barrier but a higher switching current.
Physiologic concentrations of arginine vasopressin activate human platelets in vitro

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neurohypophyseal peptide hormone with protean effects. Previous reports had shown that AVP stimulates platelets, but only at concentrations 3-6 logs higher than the normal plasma concentrations in humans. In this study we tested the hypothesis that AVP, at physiologic concentrations, stimulated the expression of an activation-dependent platelet antigen. Platelets obtained from normal volunteers were incubated with increasing concentrations of AVP and the expression of the activation-dependent platelet antigen P-selectin (CD62) was determined by monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. There was a concentration-dependent increase in CD62 expression with increasing AVP concentration; at 1 pm AVP, 24.5% (1.3-88.5%) [median (range)] of platelets expressed CD62. The selective vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist d(CH2)(5)-Tyr(me)AVP (TM-AVP) completely abolished AVP-stimulated CD62 expression. We conclude that AVP can activate platelets at concentrations found in normal humans, at least in vitro, and that this response is mediated by the platelet V1 receptor. AVP may be a physiologic platelet agonist.
Denitrification potential of different land-use types in an agricultural watershed, lower Mississippi valley

Expansion of agricultural land and excessive nitrogen (N) fertilizer use in the Mississippi River watershed has resulted in a three-fold increase in the nitrate load of the river since the early 1950s. One way to reduce this nitrate load is to restore wetlands at suitable locations between croplands and receiving waters to remove run-off nitrate through denitrification. This research investigated denitrification potential (DP) of different land uses and its controlling factors in an agricultural watershed in the lower Mississippi valley (LMV) to help identify sites with high DP for reducing run-off nitrate. Soil samples collected from seven land-use types of an agricultural watershed during spring, summer, fall and winter were incubated in the laboratory for DP determination. Low-elevation clay soils in wetlands exhibited 6.3 and 2.5 times greater DP compared to high-elevation silt loam and low-elevation clay soils in croplands, respectively. DP of vegetated-ditches was 1.3 and 4.2 times that of un-vegetated ditches and cultivated soils, respectively. Soil carbon and nitrogen availability, bulk density, and soil moisture significantly affected DP. These factors were significantly influenced in turn by landscape position and land-use type of the watershed. It is evident from these results that low-elevation, fine-textured soils under natural wetlands are the best locations for mediating nitrate loss from agricultural watersheds in the LMV. Landscape position and land-use types can be used as indices for the assessment/modeling of denitrification potential and identification of sites for restoration for nitrate removal in agricultural watersheds.
Aprotinin blocks the binding of pro atrial natriuretic peptides 1 to 30, 31 to 67, and 99 to 126 to human placental membranes.

Two peptides with natriuretic and diuretic properties consisting of amino acids 1 to 30 and 31 to 67 of the 98 amino acid N-terminal end of the prohormone of atrial natriuretic factor, which normally circulates in humans, were investigated to determine if they have specific binding sites of placental membranes. Competitive binding experiments revealed that atrial natriuretic peptides 1 to 30, 31 to 67, and 99 to 126 (i.e., C-terminus) each had specific and separate binding sites. The dissociation constants for atrial natriuretic peptides 1 to 30, 31 to 67, and 99 to 126 binding to human placental membranes were similar at 4.3 +/- 0.6 nmol/L, 3.1 +/- 0.4 nmol/L, and 2.9 +/- 0.5 nmol/L, respectively. Each peptide bound to the placental membranes between 10(-8) and 10(-11) mol/L but could bind to the other peptides' receptors only at supraphysiologic concentrations of 10(-6) and 10(-7) mol/L. The protease inhibitor aprotinin (50 micrograms/ml) blocked the binding of the atrial natriuretic peptides 1 to 30, 31 to 67, and 99 to 126 to their respective receptors. These results suggest that atrial natriuretic peptides 1 to 30 and 31 to 67 do not work through the atrial natriuretic factor receptor but rather have their own separate and distinct receptors on placental membranes and that the protease inhibitor aprotinin antagonizes their respective binding to placental membranes, suggesting that integral membrane proteases may be modulators of atrial natriuretic peptides receptor function.
When developmental biology meets human pathology

Many genes, long-known or novel, have been identified as either regulators of cell differentiation or cell function in the skeleton. This identification certainly has improved our understanding of skeleton biology as a whole by providing multiple new pieces to the embryologic and physiologic puzzle (1, 2). However, so far most of these pieces remain unconnected. To date, what has been lacking in skeleton biology is the definition of genetic cascades linking these genes together in a linear fashion to explain complex processes like patterning, cell differentiation, or cell function. A complete explanation also would include the transition steps between the major processes. The work of Motyckova et al. (3) published in this issue of PNAS establishes precisely this type of genetic cascade for the late events of osteoclast cell lineage differentiation.
Is there any advantage to three-dimensional planning for vaginal cuff brachytherapy?

Abstract Purpose To evaluate whether the three-dimensional (3D) CT-based high-dose rate planning for vaginal cuff brachytherapy offers any advantage over the 2D orthogonal film-based library plans for adjuvant treatment of endometrial cancers. Methods and Materials Eighty-four consecutive postoperative patients with endometrial cancers treated with vaginal brachytherapy as an adjuvant treatment were analyzed. Patients had CT imaging-based plans. Clinical target volume (CTV) was defined by expanding the upper 2.5 cm of the cylinder by 5 mm in all directions and editing to exclude any bladder and rectum. The dose prescribed was 7 Gy with three fractions at 5 mm depth with a goal of D 90 ≥100% for CTV. All dosimetric parameters were compared with library-based plans. Results Both the 2D- and 3D-based plans allowed sufficient dosage to the CTV ( D 90 for CTV ≥95%). The doses of 0.1, 1, and 2 cc to rectum and bladder were significantly higher for 2D-based plans ( p ≤ 0.001 in each parameter). D 2 cc with 2D plan for rectum and bladder was >100% (range: 103–116%) in 7 (8%) and 6 (7%) patients, respectively. In contrast, no patients had D 2 cc >100% with 3D planning for both organs. Conclusion Three-dimensional CT-based planning for high-dose rate vaginal cuff brachytherapy helps to decrease dose to critical organs without compromising coverage of CTV by customizing the dosimetry according to individual patient anatomy.
Early hepatitis C viral kinetics correlate with long-term outcome in patients receiving high dose induction followed by combination interferon and ribavirin therapy.

Abstract Background/Aims : The majority of patients with genotype 1 do not respond to interferon (IFN) plus ribavirin. Limited data exist on the use of induction followed by combination therapy. Methods : In this prospective study of 28 patients infected with genotype 1, randomization involved either daily or twice daily high dose IFN for 6 weeks, followed by standard therapy of 3 million units three times a week in combination with ribavirin for an additional 42 weeks. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was quantitated before and frequently during treatment. Results : The best correlate of response was δ (the infected cell loss rate). Sixteen patients continued on the study because they had at least a 2 log drop in their HCV RNA levels by week 12; all but one were PCR negative for HCV RNA at 48 weeks, and 14 of these 16 patients continued to be PCR negative at 72 weeks. Both African-Americans in our trial failed to respond to therapy, and differences were evident during the induction phase. Conclusions : This randomized study of induction IFN therapy followed by combination IFN plus ribavirin yielded the highest rate of sustained response (50%) reported to date in chronically HCV-infected patients with genotype 1. The predictive value of the infected cell loss rate needs to be evaluated prospectively in larger studies, particularly in patients receiving pegylated IFN.
Genetic algorithms and the abc music notation language for rock music composition

In this paper a music composition system based on genetic algorithms (GAs) will be presented. It can create multi-instrumental, guitar-orientated rock music using objective measures for its fitness functions. The output of this system is a song in the MIDI format. Along with this system, a unique conversion procedure from numerical values to the abc language (and vice versa), which allows the combination of numerical optimization with the rich expressiveness of a music description language, will be shown. The described music composition system will be further compared to other composition systems.
Simple laser frequency locking based on Doppler-free magnetically induced dichroism

Abstract We present a simple and reliable optical setup for active stabilization of a diode laser. The method combines Doppler-free spectroscopy and magnetically induced dichroism in atomic vapor. The long- and short-term stability is achieved using a simplified optical and laser setup. We apply the setup to stabilize an external-cavity diode laser to the D2 atomic resonance in potassium vapor. With the laser locked we attain long-term stabilization to the atomic line with the reduction of laser frequency jitter down to 0.5 MHz on a 50 ms timescale.
Some Economic Implications of Unemployment Insurance

I. Recent proposals for unemployment insurance require special consideration, 622.—II. Systems established voluntarily by employers are practical only under certain conditions, 624.—III. Profits and surpluses not a suitable source of unemployment insurance funds, 626.—Nor employers' gains resulting from the lag of money wages, 629.—Doubtful whether unemployment insurance will pay for itself through increased productivity, 630.—IV. Compulsory contributions to unemployment funds tend to fall upon wage-earners, 633; and not likely to lead to reduction of unemployment, 634.—V. Direct government subsidies the proper method, 639.
Confocal Micro-Fluorescence and Raman Spectroscopy across Grain Boundaries in Transparent Nd 3+ :YAG Ceramic Laser Gain Media

Confocal micro-Raman and micro-fluorescence studies have been performed on unetched Nd3+:YAG transparent ceramic laser media. Evidence of Nd segregation at grain boundaries and the possibility of generating 3D spatial mapping across the sample are demonstrated.
Difficulty in Assessing Quality of Life Outcomes in a Fluctuating Disease: A Hypothesis Based on Gastroparesis

An underlying assumption of quality of life outcome research is that after some intervention a “steady-state” of quality of life is reached which can be identified as an endpoint, and, hence, the “outcome.” However, in some disease processes, no so such steady-state is reached. The hypothesis presented is that a disease process with a waxing and waning course will make it difficult to determine a quality of life endpoint. After clinical observation, a pilot study of patients with either diabetic or idiopathic gastroparesis with gastric neurostimulation their records were reviewed to identify the number of clinic visits, the number of clinic visits in which the patients were asymptomatic, much improved, improved, no change, worse, or much worse. These changes were defined as “transitions.” A “transition ratio” was calculated by dividing the number of transitions by the number of clinic visits. Preliminary results showed that of 32 patients, the median number of clinic encounters was 8 (1–35), and the median number of transitions 4 (0–22). The average transition ration was 0.56 ± 0.31. In the case of gastroparesis, over half of all clinical encounters were associated with a transition. The implication of the hypothesis and preliminary finding suggests a difficulty to identify when the symptomatic endpoint was reached. Other methods to assess the effects of treatment in such a disease process are required to fully understand the effects of treatment on quality of life.
Conserved Elements of the RAM Signaling Pathway Establish Cell Polarity in the Basidiomycete Cryptococcus neoformans in a Divergent Fashion from Other Fungi

In eukaryotes the complex processes of development, differentiation, and proliferation require carefully orchestrated changes in cellular morphology. Single-celled eukaryotes provide tractable models for the elucidation of signaling pathways involved in morphogenesis. Here we describe a pathway regulating cell polarization and separation in the human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. An insertional mutagenesis screen identified roles for the ARF1, CAP60, NDH1, KIC1, CBK1, SOG2, and TAO3 genes in establishing normal colony morphology. ARF1 and CAP60 are also required for capsule production, a virulence factor, and ARF1 confers resistance to the antifungal fluconazole. KIC1, CBK1, SOG2, and TAO3 are homologues of genes conserved in other eukaryotes; in Saccharomyces cerevisiae they constitute components of the RAM (regulation of Ace2p activity and cellular morphogenesis) signaling pathway. A targeted deletion of a fifth component of RAM (MOB2) conferred identical phenotypes to kic1, cbk1, sog2, or tao3 mutations. Characterization of these genes in C. neoformans revealed unique features of the RAM pathway in this organism. Loss of any of these genes caused constitutive hyperpolarization instead of the loss of polarity seen in S. cerevisiae. Furthermore, sensitivity to the drugs FK506 and cyclosporin A demonstrates that the RAM pathway acts in parallel with the protein phosphatase calcineurin in C. neoformans but not in S. cerevisiae. These results indicate that conserved signaling pathways serve both similar and divergent cellular roles in morphogenesis in these divergent organisms.
Development of an Organizational Change Role

The experiences of nine U. S. business school graduates in organizations in Colombia, South America, were studied from the perspective of establishing and effecting organizational change roles. job continuation and satisfaction were related to congruity of initial expectations between the individual and his organization, and the individual's adaptive behavioral style. The absence of either condition led to job termination or extended dissatisfaction. Other conclusions relate to the dynamics of initial and subsequent personal approach or style, the conditions necessary for the most influential change role, and factors involved in expert and personal influence within the assistants' roles.
Gender Equality and Social Policy Implications of a Study of Parental Leave in Sweden

This article evaluates the effectiveness of parental leave as a social policy designed to eliminate the traditional, gender-based division of labor. It examines whether fathers' taking parental leave equalizes women's and men's involvement in the labor market and in child care once the leave is over. Results from a 1986 study of 319 sets of new parents in Gothenburg, Sweden were analyzed. Fathers who took parental leave were found to be more likely to be involved in child care and to reduce their involvement in the labor force. On the other hand, mothers retained primary responsibility for children and remained less involved and rewarded in the labor market, whether or not their partners participated in parental leave. Elimination of the gender-based division of labor may require social policies that simultaneously aim to improve women's labor market opportunities, raise girls' interests in occupational achievement, and increase men's participation in child care.
Phenomenology of bibliotherapy in modifying teacher punitiveness

The authors examined the phenomenology of bibliotherapy and its effects in changing preservice teachers' punitive attitudes toward children. Participants (N = 29) were enrolled in a university course (Introduction to Emotional Disturbance). Five books by Torey Hayden, autobiographical accounts of teaching and building relationships with students with emotional and behavioral disorders, were read and discussed within the framework of group bibliotherapy. Participants completed a self-report rating form measuring their tendency toward punitiveness during the first and last weeks of the 15-week semester. Participants also completed a questionnaire measuring the bibliotherapeutic impact of reading Hayden's texts, and they kept journals about the experience of reading Hayden. Comparison of the group's pre- and post-measures on punitiveness showed a small, albeit significant decrease in punitiveness; decreased punitiveness was associated with the therapeutic impact of reading Hayden. Phenomenological analysis of the participants' journal entries revealed that the structure of the experience of reading Hayden was one of identification with the protagonist, leading to emotional and cognitive learning.
Correlates of serum lipoprotein (A) in children and adolescents in the United States. The third National Health Nutrition and Examination Survey (NHANES-III)

Objective To determine the correlates of serum lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) in children and adolescents in the United States.
Catalytic conversion of anisole over HY and HZSM-5 zeolites in the presence of different hydrocarbon mixtures

The conversion of pure anisole (with a methoxy functionality, typical of some bio-oil components) and its mixtures with propylene, n-decane, benzene, or tetralin, has been investigated over zeolites in continuous flow and pulse reactors. The dominant reaction of pure anisole is transalkylation, which produces phenol, cresols, xylenols, and methyl anisoles as main products. However, in the presence of an effective hydrogen donor like tetralin important differences in product distribution are observed. In addition, while with pure anisole in the feed a fast deactivation is observed, the addition of tetralin to the feed results in lower amounts of carbon deposits and much higher catalyst stability. By contrast, less dramatic effects on stability and carbon formation were observed with most of the other co-fed hydrocarbons investigated.
Interpreting the CYP2D6 results from the International Tamoxifen Pharmacogenetics Consortium.

Meta-analysis of the entire analyzable cohort of 4,935 tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients by the International Tamoxifen Pharmacogenetics Consortium (ITPC) (criterion 3) revealed no CYP2D6 effect on outcomes but strong heterogeneity across sites.1 However, a post hoc–defined subgroup (criterion 1: postmenopausal, estrogen receptor positive, receiving 20 mg/day tamoxifen for 5 years; n = 1,996) did find statistically significant effect of CYP2D6 on both invasive disease–free survival as well as breast cancer–free interval, with little site heterogeneity. How should we interpret these discrepant findings?
Generation of pairwise test sets using a simulated bee colony algorithm

Pairwise testing is a combinatorial technique used to reduce the number of test case inputs to a system in situations where exhaustive testing with all possible inputs is not feasible. The generation of pairwise test sets with a minimal size is an NP-complete problem and several deterministic algorithms have been published. This paper presents the results of generating pairwise test sets using a simulated bee colony algorithm. Compared to published results for seven benchmark problems, the simulated bee colony approach produced test sets which were comparable or better in terms of size for all seven problems. However, the simulated bee colony approach required significantly longer generation time than deterministic approaches in all cases. The results demonstrate that the generation of pairwise test sets using a simulated bee colony algorithm is possible, and suggest that the approach may be useful in testing scenarios where pairwise test set data will be reused.
Cytogenetic Analysis of Siamese Cats with Cleft Palate

Chromosomes of the bone marrow cells of three Siamese kittens with cleft palate and one normal kitten were examined. The pedigrees of all the abnormal kittens were examined and common ancestry was demonstrated. No numerical or morphologic difference in the autosomes was found in the kittens with cleft palate or the normal kittens.
The role of the thyroid gland in the oxygen consumption of lizards

Abstract Groups of the lizard, Eumeces fasciatus , were subjected to daily thyroxine injections or thyroidectomy and maintained, with controls, under the following temperature sequence: 3 wks at 30°C, 10 days at 20°C, and one wk at 30°C. Oxygen consumption of the animals was measured at intervals during this period. Thyroxine raises metabolism and thyroidectomy lowers metabolism when the lizards are maintained at 30°C; these effects are abolished when the temperature is lowered to 20°C. A group of lizards was injected daily with thyroxine and subjected to 10 hrs at 33°C, and 14 hrs at 20°C per day. This regime results in a rise in oxygen consumption after one and two weeks of treatment. In view of these and previous results, it is proposed that the effect of thyroid hormone on the oxygen consumption of lizards is dependent upon temperature, and an attempt is made to account for the importance of the thyroid gland in the physiology of lizards in their natural environment.
The Ecology of Bacterial Genes and the Survival of the New

Much of the observed variation among closely related bacterial genomes is attributable to gains and losses of genes that are acquired horizontally as well as to gene duplications and larger amplifications. The genomic flexibility that results from these mechanisms certainly contributes to the ability of bacteria to survive and adapt in varying environmental challenges. However, the duplicability and transferability of individual genes imply that natural selection should operate, not only at the organismal level, but also at the level of the gene. Genes can be considered semiautonomous entities that possess specific functional niches and evolutionary dynamics. The evolution of bacterial genes should respond both to selective pressures that favor competition, mostly among orthologs or paralogs that may occupy the same functional niches, and cooperation, with the majority of other genes coexisting in a given genome. The relative importance of either type of selection is likely to vary among different types of genes, based on the functional niches they cover and on the tightness of their association with specific organismal lineages. The frequent availability of new functional niches caused by environmental changes and biotic evolution should enable the constant diversification of gene families and the survival of new lineages of genes.
[2,6‐Bis(1‐methylethyl)benzenaminato]‐bis(1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐methyl‐2‐propanolato(2‐methyl‐2‐phenylpropylidene) Tungsten(I)

[[136070-71-8] C30H35F12NO2W (MW 853.43) InChI = 1S/C12H17N.C10H12.2C4H3F6O.W/c1-8(2)10-6-5-7-11(9(3)4)12(10)13;1-10(2,3)9-7-5-4-6-8-9;2*1-2(11,3(5,6)7)4(8,9)10;/h5-9H,1-4H3;1,4-8H,2-3H3;2*1H3;/q;;2*-1;+2 InChIKey = URFYQMORPSDKJB-UHFFFAOYSA-N (ring-closing metathesis,5-12 ring-opening metathesis polymerization,13 ring-opening metathesis,14 carbonyl olefination15, 16) Physical Data: X-ray crystal structure. Solubility: soluble in common organic solvents. Form Supplied in: red-orange cubes. Analysis of Reagent Purity: 1H NMR spectroscopy and by combustion analysis. Preparative Methods: prepared in two steps from W(NAr)2(CHCMe2Ph)2.17, 18 Purification: recrystallize from pentane, benzene or toluene at low temperature under inert atmosphere. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: store below −30 °C under an inert atmosphere. Decomposes at elevated temperatures.19 Should be used under Schlenk line conditions or in a glove box.
Effect of reduced temperature on the f/sub T/ of AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors

The high-frequency and DC performances of single-heterojunction Al/sub 0.25/Ga/sub 0.75/As/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) have been measured at temperatures between 300 and 110 K. It is found that the maximum unity-current-gain cutoff frequency increases from 26 GHz at 300 K to 34 GHz at 110 K. It is shown that electron diffusion as determined from the majority-carrier mobility does not accurately estimate the base transit time, at least until corrections for degeneracy and minority-carrier mobility enhancement are included. Reasonable agreement is obtained assuming that base transport is limited by the thermal velocity of electrons at reduced temperatures. >
Proof-of-Concept Study of Monitoring Cancer Drug Therapy with Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging

Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) has emerged as a less expensive, easier-to-use, and higher-throughput alternative to other nuclear imaging modalities such as PET. It is expected that CLI will find many applications in biomedical research such as cancer detection, probe development, drug screening, and therapy monitoring. In this study, we explored the possibility of using CLI to monitor drug efficacy by comparisons against PET. To assess the performance of both modalities in therapy monitoring, 2 murine tumor models (large cell lung cancer cell line H460 and prostate cancer cell line PC3) were given bevacizumab versus vehicle treatments. Two common radiotracers, 3′-deoxy-3′-18F-fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) and 18F-FDG, were used to monitor bevacizumab treatment efficacy. Methods: One group of mice (n = 6) was implanted with H460 xenografts bilaterally in the shoulder region, divided into treatment and control groups (n = 3 each), injected with 18F-FLT, and imaged with PET immediately followed by CLI. The other group of mice (n = 6) was implanted with PC3 xenografts in the same locations, divided into treatment and control groups (n = 3 each), injected with 18F-FDG, and imaged by the same modalities. Bevacizumab treatment was performed by 2 injections of 20 mg/kg at days 0 and 2. Results: On 18F-FLT scans, both CLI and PET revealed significantly decreased signals from H460 xenografts in treated mice from pretreatment to day 3. Moderately increased to unchanged signals were observed in untreated mice. On 18F-FDG scans, both CLI and PET showed relatively unchanged signals from PC3 tumors in both treated and control groups. Quantifications of tumor signals of Cerenkov luminescence and PET images showed that the 2 modalities had excellent correlations (R2 > 0.88 across all study groups). Conclusion: CLI and PET exhibit excellent correlations across different tumor xenografts and radiotracers. This is the first study, to our knowledge, demonstrating the use of CLI for monitoring cancer treatment. The findings warrant further exploration and optimization of CLI as an alternative to PET in preclinical therapeutic monitoring and drug screening.
On Ways to Use Normalized Euler Parameters as Kinematic State Variables in Dynamic Simulation

Utilisation de 3 parametres de Euler-Rodrigues pour des systemes a plusieurs degres de liberte rotationnelle
Finite element simulation of a helical scanner with head/tape contacts

The head/tape interface for a helical scanner is simulated using finite element methods in conjunction with a two-stage zooming technique. The head/tape spacing is investigated as a function of velocity and tension as well as surface roughness of the tape. Contact pressure is calculated using experimentally determined parabolic asperity compliance curves. The results show that head/tape spacing is limited by surface roughness.
Culture and Context: A Study of Neighborhood Effects on Racial Socialization and Ethnic Identity Content in a Sample of African American Adolescents:

Ethnic identity is believed by some to function as a protective factor for ethnic minority youth, in particular African American youth. Although ethnic identity development is primarily the result of racial socialization practices, it may also be influenced by other contextual factors. Neighborhood factors, parent characteristics, parenting style, and bicultural competence may play pivotal roles in the ethnic identity development of African American youth. Exploratory factor analysis and path analysis were used to explore the influence of certain contextual factors on the ethnic identity content of study participants. The findings suggest that urban hassles negatively affect the content of ethnic identity but that this effect may be mediated by racial socialization. This research represents a continuing effort to explore the influence of contextual factors on the ethnic identity content of African American youth. By broadening the focus to include features of parents as well as of neighborhoods, a more co...
Photolytic technique for producing microlenses in photosensitive glass

A process is described whereby 2-D arrays of small diameter spherical lenses are produced in a homogeneous photosensitive glass by a photothermal technique. The mechanism of the lens formation is explained on the basis of the density change of the photonucleated microcrystalline phase developed relative to the unexposed glass. The lens formation is related to such variables as optical exposure, thermal schedule, glass thickness, and lens diameter. Optical characterization of the lenses produced by this technique was carried out by interferometric and MTF measurements. One-to-one conjugate erect imaging lens arrays were fabricated and tested.
Adlai E. Stevenson's United Nations audience

As United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Stevenson, with the assistance of his staff, analyzed and prepared to address three widely varied audiences: the primary audience, his fellow diplomats; his secondary audience, representatives of the world press and the radio and television media; and a spontaneous and ever‐changing group of daily visitors. To influence these audiences and to seek the widest level of support and the least antagonism for American policies, Stevenson had to concern himself with their functions, attitudes, and loyalties.
Patterns of Pediatric Mandible Fractures in the United States

ImportanceThe mandible is arguably the most frequently fractured facial bone in children. However, facial fractures are rare in children compared with adults, resulting in few large studies on patt...
Navajo and Anglo childrearing behaviors: a cross-cultural comparison.

This is a study of a cross-cultural comparison of Navajo and Anglo parenting behaviors using reports of parental behavior provided by Navajo children (5th-8th grade 175 boys and 266 girls) in an English speaking Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school and by Anglo children (same grades 214 boys and 199 girls) in a middle school in a rural area of the same southwestern state as that of the Navajo reservation. Children in both samples were given the Cornell Parent Behavior Inventory (Devereux et al 1969) which consists of 30 items describing specific parental behaviors. Responses provide indices for 14 subscales of parent behavior which tend to cluster around 4 more general dimensions of behavior: 1) supporting 2) demanding 3) controlling and 4) punishing. Results confirmed that while the rank ordering of means on the 14 parenting behaviors was strikingly similar for the 2 sets of parents there were major differences in overall amounts of childrearing behaviors used by parents as well as in differential treatment of boys and girls differential treatment of children at different grade levels and in parental role differentiation. These differences were speculated to have specific meaning for the development in children of personal causation (degree to which one is responsible for ones own fate) philosophies particularly of locus of control (lifes reinforcements as being internally or externally controlled) orientation. In general the Navajos have a more external locus of control i.e. their parents are protective and punishing whereas the Anglo parents are highly supportive enabling their children to have internal locus of control. Future research in this area should consider a longitudinal design to take into account a different view of age-graded transitions (in this study the younger children received more of given behaviors--supportive or punishing--and the older children received less of given behaviors). Also since Navajo children in boarding schools usually have fewer parent-child interactions than children who live at home future research should include Navajo samples from both boarding and public schools.
Open Heavy Flavor Measurement in heavy ion collisions with CMS

The study of heavy quark production may reveal critical features of the medium produced in heavy ion collisions as heavy quarks are sensitive to the transport properties of the medium and may interact differently from light quarks. Non-prompt J= and b jet produced in both 5.02 TeV pPb as well as 2.76 TeV PbPb collision data have been measured with the CMS detector as a function of both rapidity and transverse momentum. Fully reconstructed B mesons in pPb data were also analyzed and along with these measurements, the nuclear modification factors constructed using either a theoretically calculated pp reference or CMS pp collision data will be presented for each analysis and collision systems.
Security games with limited surveillance

Randomized first-mover strategies of Stackelberg games are used in several deployed applications to allocate limited resources for the protection of critical infrastructure. Stackelberg games model the fact that a strategic attacker can surveil and exploit the defender's strategy, and randomization guards against the worst effects by making the defender less predictable. In accordance with the standard game-theoretic model of Stackelberg games, past work has typically assumed that the attacker has perfect knowledge of the defender's randomized strategy and will react correspondingly. In light of the fact that surveillance is costly, risky, and delays an attack, this assumption is clearly simplistic: attackers will usually act on partial knowledge of the defender's strategies. The attacker's imperfect estimate could present opportunities and possibly also threats to a strategic defender. In this paper, we therefore begin a systematic study of security games with limited surveillance. We propose a natural model wherein an attacker forms or updates a belief based on observed actions, and chooses an optimal response. We investigate the model both theoretically and experimentally. In particular, we give mathematical programs to compute optimal attacker and defender strategies for a fixed observation duration, and show how to use them to estimate the attacker's observation durations. Our experimental results show that the defender can achieve significant improvement in expected utility by taking the attacker's limited surveillance into account, validating the motivation of our work.
Observations on Alloxan Diabetes

SummaryDiabetes has been produced in rabbits by the intravenous injection of alloxan.1, 2 The effectiveness of the repeated daily injections of doses as low as 50 mg per kg indicates that alloxan has a cumulative action or that a gradual extension of pancreatic injury takes place.When alloxan was given to rabbits with alloxan diabetes no effect on the blood sugar was observed. This supports the favored hypothesis that the hypoglycemic phase of alloxan poisoning is due to the liberation of insulin from damaged cells.Metabolic studies indicate that alloxan diabetes in rabbits corresponds to partial pancreatic diabetes. In this connection the factor of species is discussed.Hydropic degeneration was observed in the islet tissue of 2 animals. This change has been attributed to the effect of hyperglycemia on beta cells which escaped destruction by alloxan.
Effect of Age on the Circadian Pattern of Sleep and Wakefulness in the Mouse

In elderly humans, daytime naps are common, nocturnal sleep is poorly consolidated, and the sleep period often begins and ends earlier than in young adults. Because previous work has suggested that rodents may provide a useful animal model for these changes, we conducted a detailed investigation of sleep patterns in 11 young adult and 9 old mice. Mice were surgically implanted for chronic EEG recording, and sleep state was monitored over multiple circadian cycles. During the active phase, old mice spent more time asleep and had shorter wake episodes compared with young mice. During the rest phase, old mice spent more time awake than young mice, and tended to have shorter episodes of sleep. No evidence was found, however, for earlier timing of sleep in older mice. These results suggest that the mouse may provide a suitable animal model for further study of certain age-related changes in temporal distribution of sleep and wakefulness.
Effects of Robot Gaze and Proxemic Behavior on Perceived Social Presence during a Hallway Navigation Scenario

Robots are increasingly being introduced into task environments that require the ability to exhibit appropriate social functionality. The present study is an examination of how social cues conveyed by a robot, during a brief interaction, affect the perception of the robot as a socially present agent. Participants were exposed to one of three gaze conditions and two proxemic behavioral programs during a number of experimental trials involving path-crossing in a hallway setting. Results indicated that participants perceived the robot as more socially present when it exhibited a passive proxemic behavior and more socially present over time; though, findings varied at the sub-scale level. Design recommendations are presented for roboticists.
Investigation of water intake among primary students in Fengtai district,Beijing

Objective To understand the water intake among primary students and the influencing factors. Methods A total of 300 primary students from 1-6 grades in one primary school were selected by using stratified random sampling. The information on amounts and types of daily water intake was recorded by using a 24 hour measurement for seven consecutive days. Results The amounts of daily water intake about boiled water,soup,porridge,milk,beverages,fruit juice,soymilk and raw water were 590,202,154,150,72,46,42 and 30 ml respectively. The proportion of students drinking beverages and raw water were 49.0% and 19.3% respectively. Combined calculation of the direct and indirect water intake by its water content,the mean of total water intake was(1 197±518) ml/d,and the median was 1 112 ml/d. The mean of direct water intake was(621±449) ml/d,and the median was 525 ml/d. The mean of indirect water intake was(576±431) ml/d,and the median was 485 ml/d. The average daily water intake increased along with age,height,weight. The average water intake of boys was significantly higher than girls(t=2.459,P=0.015),and there were significant difference of water intake from students in different grades(F=4.886,P 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the average water intake of boys was 134 ml/d higher than that of girls(t=-2.190,P=0.029),and increased 41 ml/d by age(t=1.975,P=0.049). Conclusion There are some problems in the habits of drinking water among primary students,gender and age may influence water intake of primary students.