cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal pole assignment for power electronic systems

An optimal pole assignment concept for a closed loop feedback control is proposed and its advantages are discussed. Precise tracking of a reference signal and disturbance rejection with quick transient response can be achieved with this theory. The importance of loss of observability by pole-zero cancellation is stressed. Examples of the control of a PWM inverter and superconducting magnet are demonstrated, and observer design is illustrated.
Bioreduction of natural specular hematite under flow conditions

Abstract Dissimilatory reduction of Fe(III) by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 was evaluated using natural specular hematite as sole electron acceptor in an open system under dynamic flow conditions to obtain a better understanding of biologic Fe(III) reduction in the natural environment. During initial exposure to hematite under advective flow conditions, cells exhibited a transient association with the mineral characterized by a rapid rate of attachment followed by a comparable rate of detachment before entering a phase of surface colonization that was slower but steadier than that observed initially. Accumulation of cells on the hematite surface was accompanied by the release of soluble Fe(II) into the aqueous phase when no precautions were taken to remove amorphous Fe(III) from the mineral surface before colonization. During the period of surface colonization following the detachment phase, cell yield was estimated at 1.5–4 × 107 cells/μmol Fe(II) produced, which is similar to that reported in studies conducted in closed systems. This yield does not take into account those cells that detached during this phase or the Fe(II) that remained associated with the hematite surface. Hematite reduction by the bacterium led to localized surface pitting and localized discrete areas where Fe (II) precipitation occurred. The cleavage plane of hematite left behind after bacterial reduction, as revealed by our results, strongly suggests, that heterogeneous energetics of the mineral surface play a strong role in this bioprocess. AQDS, an electron shuttle shown to stimulate bioreduction of Fe(III) in other studies, inhibited reduction of hematite by this bacterium under the dynamic flow conditions employed in the current study.
Possible Alternatives to Diagnosis-Based Denominators for Addiction Treatment Quality Measures

Consumers of healthcare quality measures are often unaware of how measured performance may be driven by diagnosing practices rather than the provision of high quality care. Reliance on quality metrics that depend on documented diagnoses can therefore subvert comparisons between clinicians, facilities or systems. In this study, three versions of an alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment quality measure were calculated: method 1--the usual denominator including all diagnosed patients; method 2--a "population-based" denominator including the entire facility census; and method 3-an epidemiologically-derived denominator comprising the expected prevalence of AUD based on case-mix characteristics and geographic region. Performance rankings under the three specifications were calculated. Changes in percentile rank of up to 30-45% were observed between methods. Therefore, much of the observed between-facility differences on diagnosis-based quality measures may reflect variation in the propensity to diagnose rather than real differences in performance. Stakeholders must decide which of the validity threats produced by these different methods is least worrisome.
Analysis of Flavonoid Phytoestrogens in Botanical and Ephedra-Containing Dietary Supplements

Background:Plant-derived botanical and dietary supplements are widely self-prescribed in the US and considered natural, safe, and beneficial. However, because they are not strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), their ingredients are not always known and they may contain unexpected agents. Among the myriad plant-produced molecules are flavonoids, which reportedly have various human health effects, including anticancer, antioxidant, and estrogenic properties. Several flavonoids (eg, isoflavones) are known as phytoestrogens, based on their ability to mimic estrogen in mammals. Because botanical and dietary supplements are plant products and need not be processed or purified due to their FDA classification as foods, they may contain unexpected phytoestrogens, such as flavonoids.Objective:To analyze 8 botanical and 11 ephedra-containing dietary supplements for the presence and concentration of 5 flavonoids (biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, genistein, quercetin), which may deliver une...
Cut-and-solve: an iterative search strategy for combinatorial optimization problems

Branch-and-bound and branch-and-cut use search trees to identify optimal solutions to combinatorial optimization problems. In this paper, we introduce an iterative search strategy which we refer to as cut-and-solve and prove optimality and termination for this method. This search is different from traditional tree search as there is no branching. At each node in the search path, a relaxed problem and a sparse problem are solved and a constraint is added to the relaxed problem. The sparse problems provide incumbent solutions. When the constraining of the relaxed problem becomes tight enough, its solution value becomes no better than the incumbent solution value. At this point, the incumbent solution is declared to be optimal. This strategy is easily adapted to be an anytime algorithm as an incumbent solution is found at the root node and continuously updated during the search. Cut-and-solve enjoys two favorable properties. Since there is no branching, there are no ''wrong'' subtrees in which the search may get lost. Furthermore, its memory requirement is negligible. For these reasons, it has potential for problems that are difficult to solve using depth-first or best-first search tree methods. In this paper, we demonstrate the cut-and-solve strategy by implementing a generic version of it for the Asymmetric Traveling Salesman Problem (ATSP). Our unoptimized implementation outperformed state-of-the-art solvers for five out of seven real-world problem classes of the ATSP. For four of these classes, cut-and-solve was able to solve larger (sometimes substantially larger) problems. Our code is available at our websites.
Large-Area Nanophotonics Fabricated by Interferometric Lithography

Large area (several cm 2 ) mid- and near-infrared metamaterial samples including analogs to split-ring resonators and negative-index materials are fabricated using interferometric lithography and standard integrated circuit fabrication techniques. The split-ring resonators are vertical structures with the smallest dimensions defined by deposition rather than by lithography. The negative index material is an Au-Al 2 O 3 -Au stack structure perforated with a 2D hole pattern. Both the amplitude and phase of the transmission and reflectivity are measured with phase-mask, zero-path-length difference, interferometric techniques and the refractive index is deduced by inverting these measurements. A rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA) is in excellent agreement with the measurement. Improvements in the original structure to provide a lower loss and an improved transmission for the structure are presented. Prospects for continued reduction in the loss and an improved figure of merit, [|Re(n)|/Im(n)], are discussed. Interferometric lithography provides an inexpensive, facile, large-area technology for the fabrication of visible/infrared metamaterials with a 2D array patterning capability extending to as small as ~20-nm features.
Vertical pneumatic conveying: An experimental study with particles in the intermediate and turbulent flow regimes

Vertical pneumatic conveying was studied in a 3-inch diameter riser 30 feet in length using solids ranging in particle Reynolds number from 100 to 3500. Particle to gas mass flow ratios varied from 0 to 8 and pipeline conditions extended from dilute flow down into the choking region. Average particle hold-up was determined by means of a series of quick-closing valves and particle slip velocity was often found to be greater than the calculated terminal velocity. The reasons for this are examined. Frictional pressure losses in the riser were also determined and compared with literature data. The phenomenon of choking is considered briefly. On a etudie le transport pneumatique et vertical, dans un tuyau de 30 pieds de longueur et 3 pouces de diametre, en utilisant des matieres solides dont les nombres de Reynolds des particules variaient entre 100 et 3500. Les rapports d'ecoulement entre les particules et le gaz variaient de 0 a 8 et les conditions dans le tuyau se sont etendues d'un ecoulement dilue a la region d'engorgeinent. On a determine la retention moyenne des particules, au moyen d'une serie de soupapes qui fermaient rapidement, et l'on a souvent trouve que la velocite de glissement etait plus elevee que la velocite terminate qu'on avait calculee; on en analyse les raisons. On a aussi determine les pertes de pression dues a la friction dans le tuyau et les a comparees avec les donnees publiees. On considere brievement le phenomene d'engorgement.
Linking Male Use of the Sex Industry to Controlling Behaviors in Violent Relationships An Exploratory Analysis

In an attempt to better understand the relationship between male use of the sex industry (i.e., pornography and strip clubs) and interpersonal violence (IPV), 2,135 female residents of an IPV shelter were surveyed regarding their batterer's use of both the sex industry and controlling behaviors in their relationship. Findings indicate that male domestic violence offenders who utilize the sex industry use more controlling behaviors than male domestic violence offenders who do not. Implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.
Development of a high average current polarized electron source with long cathode operational lifetime

Substantially more than half of the electromagnetic nuclear physics experiments conducted at the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Laboratory) require highly polarized electron beams, often at high average current. Spin-polarized electrons are produced by photoemission from various GaAs-based semiconductor photocathodes, using circularly polarized laser light with photon energy slightly larger than the semiconductor band gap. The photocathodes are prepared by activation of the clean semiconductor surface to negative electron affinity using cesium and oxidation. Historically, in many laboratories worldwide, these photocathodes have had short operational lifetimes at high average current, and have often deteriorated fairly quickly in ultrahigh vacuum even without electron beam delivery. At Jefferson Lab, we have developed a polarized electron source in which the photocathodes degrade exceptionally slowly without electron emission, and in which ion back bombardment is the predominant mechanism limiting the operational lifetime of the cathodes during electron emission. We have reproducibly obtained cathode 1/e dark lifetimes over two years, and 1/e charge density and charge lifetimes during electron beam delivery of over $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}\text{ }\mathrm{C}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ and 200 C, respectively. This source is able to support uninterrupted high average current polarized beam delivery to three experimental halls simultaneously for many months at a time. Many of the techniques we report here are directly applicable to the development of GaAs photoemission electron guns to deliver high average current, high brightness unpolarized beams.
Changes in counseling center client problems across 13 years.

Are perceived increases in symptom severity in college counseling center clients real or imagined? Counseling center staff, retrospectively, reported that client problems are more severe now than in the past. Yet studies examining client distress levels at intake have found no significant increases. This study examined counseling center client problems across 13 years from the perspective of the treating therapist at the time of case closure. Increases were found for 14 of 19 client problem areas, whereas other areas retained stable levels, and 2 problem areas had a quadratic trend over time. These changes directly affect counseling service practices. Across several years, counseling center staff (Robbins, May, & Corazzini, 1985) and directors (Gallagher, Gill, & Sysco, 2000; O’Malley, Wheeler, Murphey, O’Connell, & Waldo, 1990) have perceived increases in levels of psychopathology and symptom severity among counseling center client populations. In these studies, therapists’ and directors’ responses were retrospective, reflecting their speculations about changes in client problems over the previous years. However, researchers who have attempted to examine this issue with more objective data, such as client-perceived distress scores at intake, have found no differences across 6 – 8 years (Cornish, Kominars, Riva, McIntosh, & Henderson, 2000; Pledge, Lapan, Heppner, Kivlighan, & Roehlke, 1998). How can one explain the discrepancy between therapists’ and directors’ post hoc subjective impressions and client-perceived distress scores? What increases in symptom severity might therapists and directors perceive that are not reflected in measures of client distress levels at intake? This study attempted to lend some clarity to these questions by providing data from another perspective. We analyzed client case descriptors, completed by therapists at case closure, for each case across a 13-year period. Several researchers have relied on retrospective survey data, asking counselors and directors to recall their impressions regarding changes in symptom severity over time. For example, Robbins et al. (1985) surveyed 200 college counseling center staffs and found that most respondents reported an increase in the emotional and behavioral problems of their clients over 3 years. Gallagher et
Effectiveness of low power dual-V/sub t/ designs in nano-scale technologies under process parameter variations

This paper explores the effectiveness of dual-V/sub t/ design under aggressive scaling of technology, which results in significant increase in all components of leakage (subthreshold, gate and junction tunneling) while having large variations in process parameters. The present way of realizing high-V/sub t/ devices results in high junction tunneling leakage compared to low-V/sub t/, devices, which in turn may result in negligible leakage savings for dual-V/sub t/, designs in scaled technologies. Moreover, increase in process variation severely affects the yield of such designs. This paper suggests important measures that need to be incorporated in conventional dual-V/sub t/, design to achieve total leakage power improvement while ensuring yield. It also shows that different process options, such as metal gate work function engineering, are required to realize high-performance and low-leakage dual- V/sub t/ designs in sub-50nm technologies.
Dynamics and Control of a Small-Scale Boom Crane

Cranes are vital to many manufacturing and material-handling processes. However, their physical structure leads to flexible dynamic effects that limit their usefulness. Large payload swings induced by either intentional crane motions or external disturbances decrease positioning accuracy and can create hazardous situations. Boom cranes are one of the most dynamically complicated types of cranes. Boom cranes cannot transfer the payload in a straight line by actuating only one axis of motion because they have rotational joints. This paper presents a nonlinear model of a boom crane. A large range of possible motions is analyzed to investigate the dynamic behavior of the crane when it responds to operator commands. A command-shaping control technique is implemented, and its effectiveness on this nonlinear machine is analyzed. Experimental results verify key theoretical predictions.
The design and performance of a twenty barrel hydrogen pellet injector for Alcator C-mod

A twenty barrel hydrogen pellet has been designed, built and tested for use on the Alcator C-Mod Tokamak at MIT. The design is the first to use a closed cycle helium refrigerator to cool the thermal system components and employs in-situ condensation of the fuel gas. The design of the pellet tracker a diagnostic for following the trajectory of the pellets in time is outlined. This paper discusses the design goals and engineering features of the injector as well as laboratory performance results. Tracker data obtained during injection experiments is also presented.
A descriptive analysis of the growth and decline of the FVC and FEV1.

Using data obtained during the first four complete surveys of a general population sample (2,435 spirometric studies on 916 different asymptomatic nonsmoking subjects), we have derived mathematically continuous equations designed to describe the stages of growth, maturation, and subsequent decline in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV> 1 ) and the forced vital capacity (FVC). With this type of analysis, there appears to be a period from late childhood through adolescence in which maturation significantly increases FVC and FEV 1 , independent of growth, and a stage from late adolescence to the early or mid-30s in which there is relatively little change in these measurements. Progressive decline in FVC and FEV 1 may not actually begin until the mid-30s. The mathematical formulae presented here were derived in a manner intended to describe biologic events and are not intended for use as prediction equations. The FEV 1 /FVC ratio appeared to be primarily a function of the FVC itself in young subjects. After the age of 33 years, FEV 1 /FVC also decreased with age, independent of the size of the FVC.
The implications of group support technologies: an evaluation of the emipirical research

The authors define and differentiate two broad technological support systems for group processes: group decision support systems (GDSS), and group communication support systems (GCSS). They present a framework and method for analyzing the impact of such information systems on groups. They develop the framework from the literature of organization behavior and group psychology and apply it to the literature of management information systems. The authors review and compare empirical research and findings concerned with the impact of GDSS and GCSS on groups. Five major implications stem from the analysis: (a) there is a lack of research on some important formal aspects of groups; (b) there is a paucity of research on the impacts of GDSS and GCSS on the informal dimension of groups; (c) there is a need to move away from laboratory settings to field study in organization settings; (d) more research is needed on the stages in group development and how they affect the impact of GDSS and GCSS; and (e) more research is needed to understand how the structure imposed by the technological supports affect group processes. >
Vicarious Learning Under Implicit Contracts

Employee contracts often allow for managerial discretion, such that the manager decides after observing an employee’s performance how that employee will be rewarded or penalized. Importantly, the effects of such evaluation outcomes can extend beyond the employee(s) directly affected, because such outcomes can be observed by other employees within the firm. The net effect of such vicarious learning as an indirect control depends on the inferences employees make after observing a peer’s evaluation outcome. In this study, we use an experiment to investigate whether the inferences observer-employees make about how managers evaluate and reward employee behavior depend on whether the valence of the observed outcome is positive or negative. Using the setting of a strategic performance measurement system, we test and find support for a causal model, in which the valence of the observed outcome influences observer-employees’ inferences and subsequent behavioral focus via their psychological distance from, and their construal of, the observed outcome. Our results suggest that how observer-employees respond after observing a peer employee’s evaluation outcome is asymmetric. Specifically, when contemplating their own behavior, employees who observe positive outcomes focus on the performance measures within the strategic performance measurement system, whereas those who observe negative outcomes focus on the underlying strategic construct.
DETERMINANTS OF CATTLE FINISHING PROFITABILITY

profit per head for finishing steers and heifers over Data from a western Kansas feedlot were analyzed time. Specifically, this paper analyzes variability of to estimate the quantitative impacts of price and profits per head for four placement weight categories performance variables on profits per head from fin- of steers as well as variability in the difference in ishing cattle. Sale prices, feeder prices, and corn profits between steers and heifers. prices had the most impact on profit variability over time. Differences in sale prices, feeder prices, and feed conversions were important in explaining the PREVIOUS RESEARCH difference in steer and heifer profits over time. Re- The traditional approach to examining cattle feedsults suggest that breakeven prices should be calcu- ing profitability focuses on allocating net returns into lated for a range of fed cattle, feeder, and corn prices, two components: (1) gain per head attributable to and that these three variables need to be stochastic price changes from the time the feeder was purin representative farm modeling efforts. chased until it was sold, and (2) the returns associated with the increase in weight times the difference
Weighing the benefits of studying a foreign language at a younger starting age in a minimal input situation

This study examined whether a younger starting age is advantageous in a situation of minimal exposure to an instructed foreign language (≤ 4 hours classroom contact per week). Previous theoretical and empirical studies indicated there should be no advantage for an earlier start. Japanese college students who started studying English between ages three and twelve (n = 61) were examined on a phonemic discrimination ( /l/w) and grammaticality judgement task (GJT). After controlling for language aptitude and amount of input, statistical correlations were found between starting age and scores on the GJT (r = —.38) but not the phonemic task (r = .03). These earlier starters were also compared to peers who began study in junior high at age twelve or thirteen (n = 139) on the same measures. The earlier starters were found to score statistically higher on the phonemic but not morphosyntactic measure, and this remained true in an ANCOVA analysis where total amount of hours of study input were controlled for. A robu...
Radionuclide Leaching from Residual Soils: Screening Study

Four soil samples, collected from a National Priorities Listed site contaminated with uranium, thorium, and radium, were leached for two, seven, and 30 days. The nonleached soils, leached soils, and leachates were analyzed using gamma spectroscopy, alpha spectroscopy, and delayed neutron activation. Unleached and leached soils had low radionuclide activities, and four different leaching solutions had no significant observable effect upon the resulting leachate activity. Three of the soils produced leachates with uranium activities below the expected primary drinking water standard of 30 μg/L for uranium, but the leachate from the fourth soil had an unacceptably high concentration of uranium (653 μg/L) despite the low activity of the original, unleached soil. Distribution coefficients calculated for uranium ranged from 100 to 12,000 mL/g, while distribution coefficients for 226Ra, 228Ra, 228Th, 137Cs, and 40K ranged from 1 to 20 mL/g. The uranium distribution coefficient was strongly correlated to the leac...
Localizing a Wireless Node in a Multi-Agent System Using Kalman Filtering

In order to autonomously navigate and perform useful tasks, a mobile robot often needs to know its exact position and orientation. The objective of this work is to estimate the position of a mobile node (we will call it the receiver, Rx) based on signals from other moving/stationary nodes (transmitters, Tx). The measurements are the straight line distances between the receiver and the transmitters. Our aim is to calculate the (x, y) position of the receiver given the (x,y) positions of the transmitters. A baseline approach is to use triangulation. If there are more than 3 transmitters then averaging the estimates obtained from various triangles provides a quick estimate. The key problem is that naive averaging treats each estimate equally. We propose instead to use Kalman filtering because it explicitly uses the the variances in the measurements. Indeed, the Kalman filter provides an optimum estimate in minimum mean-square error sense.
Multiple conformational states of a new hematopoietic cytokine (megakaryocyte growth and development factor): pH- and urea-induced denaturation

The effect of pH and urea on the conformation of recombinant human megakaryocyte growth and development factor (rHuMGDF) was determined by circular dichroism, intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy, and equilibrium ultracentrifugation. The conformation of rHuMGDF was dependent on pH and urea concentration. Multiple folding forms were evidenced by multiple pH-induced transitions and urea-induced equilibrium transitions that deviated from a simple two-state process. In neutral to alkaline pH, rHuMGDF exists as a monomer, but an acid-induced conformational state self-associates to form a soluble aggregate. A folding intermediate(s) was observed with a more stable secondary structure than tertiary structure and was dependent on the pH of the urea-induced denaturation. The differences in the stabilities of the folding states were most distinct in the pH range of 4.5 to 6.5. The presence of intermediates in the folding pathway of rHuMGDF are similar to findings of previous studies of related growth factors that share a common three-dimensional structure. Proteins 32:495–503, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The use of photographs to portray urban ecosystems in six introductory environmental science textbooks

This study examined how photographs in six introductory environmental science texts portrayed the urban environments in which most U.S. students lived. All photographs from all texts were coded to determine whether they depicted urban areas. The urban photographs were then coded to determine what they communicated about the urban environment. The analysis suggested that the texts in this study, though varied in their portrayal of urban ecosystems, did address many of the environmental issues that affected the city. However, urban examples were rarely used to illustrate general ecological concepts that applied to all ecosystems (i.e., biodiversity or evolution). The author contended that “sense of place” theories indicated that more photographs should be dedicated to portraying urban environments as functioning ecosystems. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 45: 1003–1020, 2008
Rapid warming and infusion of packed red blood cells

A four-part experiment was undertaken to determine the feasibility of adding normal saline warmed to 45 C to units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) to warm them and increase blood flow in transfusions. In Part One, the flows of fresh and outdated PRBCs through a modified infusion system were compared. The results showed that there was no significant difference in flow rates and between fresh (11.5 gm/min ±0.98 SD) and outdated (10.08 gm/min ± 1.45 SD) PRBCs using the Student t test for uneven groups. This allowed outdated PRBCs to be used in place of fresh for a good portion of the experiment. In Part Two, PRBCs were run through a Travenol blood warmer coil (Travenol Laboratories, Deerfield, Illinois), and flow rate was 5.17 gm/min (± 0.61 SD) with delivery temperature of 29 C (± 1.58 SD). In Part Three normal saline warmed to 45 C was added to units of PRBCs, and flow rate was 57.72 gm/min (± 0.61 SD) with delivery temperatures of 26 C (± 1.49 SD). In Part Four normal saline warmed to 45 C was added to units of PRBCs as in Part Three and then run through the blood warmer. The flow rate was 18.23 gm/min (± 3.44 SD) with delivery temperature of 35.3 C (± 1.45 SD). Plasma hemoglobins also were determined on fresh PRBCs before and after addition of warmed normal saline and passage through the blood warmer. There was no evidence of significant hemolysis of the blood due to this technique. Statistical analysis using Duncan's multiple range test for variables showed differences in flow rate between Parts One, Two, Three, and Four are significant at the P = 0.05 level.
Environmental effects and aquatic organisms: investigations of molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis.

Cancers of the reproductive system are among the leading causes of mortality in women in the United States. While both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in their etiology, the ...
Systematics and Evolution of the Tropical Monocot Family Costaceae (Zingiberales): A Multiple Dataset Approach

A phylogenetic analysis of molecular (ITS, trnL-F, trnK including the matK coding region) and morphological data is presented for the pantropical monocot family Costaceae (Zingiberales), including 65 Costaceae taxa and two species of the outgroup genus Siphonochilus (Zingiberaceae). Taxon sampling included all four currently described genera in order to test the monophyly of previously proposed taxonomic groups. Sampling was further designed to encompass geographical and morphological diversity of the family to identify trends in biogeographic patterns and morphological character evolution. Phylogenetic analysis of the combined data reveals three major clades with discrete biogeographic distribution: (1) South American, (2) Asian, and (3) African-neotropical. The nominal genus Costus is not monophyletic and its species are found in all three major clades. The Melanesian genus Tapeinochilos is monophyletic and included within the Asian clade. Monocostus and Dimerocostus are sister taxa and form part of the South American clade. The African-neotropical clade is composed entirely of the genus Costus; moreover, there is support for previously recognized subgeneric groupings within the Costus clade. Evolutionary trends in floral morphology show that close associations with pollinators have evolved several times from an ancestral generalist pollinator floral form. Bee pollination has evolved once in the family, arising in Africa from an open-flowered (generalist) ancestor. Bird pollination has evolved multiple times: once from an open-flowered ancestor in Southeast Asia and multiple times from a bee-pollinated ancestor in the neotropics. Additional morphological characters not traditionally used to define taxonomic groups, but having high consistency in the current phylogenetic analysis, are discussed.
Are All Special Items Equally Special? The Predictive Role of Conservatism

We predict the persistence of large negative special items based on expected accounting conservatism. Greater conservatism results in immediate recognition of anticipated future cash flow losses, leading to large negative special items that are highly associated with contemporaneous returns. If prompt loss recognition induces managers to terminate loss-producing projects earlier, then negative special items reported by more conservative firms should exhibit faster reversal. In contrast, if firms with lower expected conservatism enjoy greater flexibility in spreading the recognition of losses then they are apt to experience future losses associated with current special items, and consequently should exhibit lower reversal. We predict and find that negative special items of these firms are less closely tied to contemporaneous returns and are more persistent with respect to future net income. Additional analysis indicates that the variation in special-items persistence does not simply reflect variation in the persistence of all earnings components, nor is it restricted to firms that just meet or beat important earnings targets.
Using Male Circumcision to Understand Social Norms as Multipliers

This article uses non-religious male circumcision to explore how social norms affect behavioral cost-benefit analysis. It argues that norms are variables that color every aspect of the analysis, thereby encouraging an individual to either exaggerate or diminish the significance of other factors that figure into the behavioral calculus. To be sure, deviance from, or compliance with, a norm may have its own cost or benefit whether it be guilt, esteem, or the capital that might hinge on whether one sends the optimal social signal. But this article argues that an equally important function of norms is to affect the way individuals understand information, so that from the outset the behavioral outcome is weighted in favor of the predominant social norm. The article then discusses how policymakers might combat the information-distorting effect of norms, again using male circumcision as a case in point.
Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of brain metastases from breast cancer

10555 Background: Outcomes of gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GK-SRS) for patients with brain metastases specifically from breast cancer have not been well-defined. This study was undertaken to report the long-term experience with GK-SRS in this subset of patients. Methods: From 1995 to 2005, 75 patients with 162 brain lesions were treated with GK-SRS at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Complete follow-up data were available in 65 patients. Additional whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) was administered to 53 (81.5%) patients. The median WBRT dose was 36.75 Gy (30.0–45.0 Gy). The median number of lesions treated with GK-SRS was 2 (1–8 lesions). The median follow-up, age, and KPS were 7.2 months (0.4–75.7 months), 53.5 years (23–81 years), and 90 (40–100), respectively. The factors included in the univariate and multivariate analyses for overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were age, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), tumor histology, estrogen receptor status, Her-2-...
Focal cortical dysplasia and heterochromia of the iris.

A 30-year-old Hispanic female was evaluated for a chronic seizure disorder manifesting as a composite left arm and leg sensory and auditory aura followed by a convulsive phase. Clinical examination revealed subtle left somatic hemiatrophy, left-sided sensorineural hearing loss and a left extensor plantar response. MRI of the brain showed massive right frontocentral pachygyria (figure 1 …
Sonography of Common Peripheral Nerve Disorders With Clinical Correlation

Sonography is now considered an effective method to evaluate peripheral nerves. Low cost, high resolution, the ability to image an entire limb in a short time, and dynamic assessment are several of the positive attributes of sonography. This article will review the normal appearance of peripheral nerves as shown with sonography. In addition, the most common applications for sonography of the peripheral nerves will be reviewed, which include entrapment neuropathies, intraneural ganglion cyst, nerve trauma, and peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Clinical information related to nerve disorders is also included, as it provides valuable information that can be obtained during sonographic examinations, increasing diagnostic accuracy.
Elasticity theory of macromolecular aggregates.

We present a version of continuum elasticity theory applicable to aggregates of functional biomolecules at length scales comparable to that of the component molecules. Unlike classical elasticity theory, the stress and strain fields have mathematical discontinuities along the interfaces of the macromolecules, due to conformational incompatibility and large scale conformational transitions. The method is applied to the P-II to EI shape transition of the protein shell of the virus HK97. We show that protein residual stresses generated by incompatibility drive a ``reverse buckling'' transition from an icosahedral to a dodecahedral shape via a ``critical'' spherical shape, which can be identified as the P-II state.
Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of saturated group IV (Ti, Zr, Hf) metal carbonyl cations.

Group IV metal carbonyl cations of the form M(CO)n+ (M = Ti, Zr, Hf; n = 6–8) are produced in a supersonic molecular beam via laser vaporization in a pulsed nozzle source. The ions are mass selected in a reflectron time-of-flight spectrometer and studied with infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy in the carbonyl stretching region. The number of infrared active bands, their relative intensities, and their frequency positions provide insight into the structure and bonding of these complexes. Density functional theory calculations are employed to aid in the analysis of the experimental spectra. The n = 6 species is found to be the fully coordinated complex for each metal, and all analogues have a D3d structure. This symmetric structure and the resulting simple spectra facilitate the investigation of trends in the bonding and infrared band positions of these complexes. The carbonyl stretching frequencies of the M(CO)6+ species are all red-shifted with respect to the gas phase CO vibration at 2143 cm–1...
Giving Meanings to the World: The First U.S. Foreign Correspondents, 1838–1859 by Giovanna Dell'Orto, Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2002, 162 pp

(2003). Giving Meanings to the World: The First U.S. Foreign Correspondents, 1838–1859 by Giovanna Dell'Orto, Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2002, 162 pp. American Journalism: Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 116-117.
Variation in Permethrin and Azinphosmethyl Resistance in Populations of Amblyseius fallacis (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

Twelve populations of the predatory phytoseiid mite, Amblyseius fallacis Garman were tested for susceptibility to the pyrethroid, permethrin, and the organophosphorous insecticide, azinphosmethyl. Most populations had LC50's considerably below field rates of permethrin. Two populations had LC50's approaching field rates; these populations showed some level of resistance and could form the basis for further selections for highly resistant predators. Permethrin LC50's showed no correlation with azinphosmethyl LC50's.
Ambivalent aspirationalism in millennial postfeminist culture on Gossip Girl

ABSTRACTThe teen television show Gossip Girl positions classed subjectivities as based on an imagined authentic moral value system as opposed to economic reality, with troubling outcomes for middle-class girls. By combining the postfeminist myths of individuality, choice, and success with capitalist ideology, the show preserves a hierarchy in which social climbing is presented as dangerous to only girls. Gossip Girl suggests that middle-class girls' primary value is in their sexual purity, a notion that works to exacerbate gendered economic instability by positioning girls, according to heteronormative dictates, as dependent on men for economic and moral protection.
Epidemiological characteristics analysis and control strategies for measles among infants in Xiangshan

Objective:To know the epidemiological characteristics of measles and develop a series of strategies for measles control among infants in Xiangshan.Methods:Using epidemiological studies to analysis the incidence of measles among infants from January to June in 2008 in Xiangshan.Results:There were 74 infant cases of in the total number of measles from January to June in 2008,accounted for 34.01%,the Standardized incidence rate was 13.96/105.The result showed that the incidence range of measles among infants mainly concentrated in the 6~8 months of age,in which there were 46 cases less than eight months.The biggest months was 12 months,the minimum only 26 days.And the local incidence of infant measles accounted for 83.78% of the total number.Conclusion:With the year of 2008,infant measles outbreaks was a new round of peak year,the main factors leading to measles outbreaks were the susceptible population increased in small-month-old infants and 8-month-old infants hadn′t been vaccinated against measles timely.So these main factors were the main reasons for take effective control measures to control measles epidemic.
Marketing Black Babies versus Recruiting Black Families: The Racialized Strategies Private Adoption Agencies Use to Find Homes for Black Babies

By analyzing adoption websites, the author explores the racialized nature of the private adoption industry, beginning with a problem seemingly faced by many adoption professionals: finding homes fo...
Small Molecule Recognition and Tools to Study Modulation of r(CGG)exp in Fragile X-Associated Tremor Ataxia Syndrome

RNA transcripts containing expanded nucleotide repeats cause many incurable diseases via various mechanisms. One such disorder, fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), is caused by a noncoding r(CGG) repeat expansion (r(CGG)(exp)) that (i) sequesters proteins involved in RNA metabolism in nuclear foci, causing dysregulation of alternative pre-mRNA splicing, and (ii) undergoes repeat associated non-ATG translation (RANT), which produces toxic homopolymeric proteins without using a start codon. Here, we describe the design of two small molecules that inhibit both modes of toxicity and the implementation of various tools to study perturbation of these cellular events. Competitive Chemical Cross Linking and Isolation by Pull Down (C-Chem-CLIP) established that compounds bind r(CGG)(exp) and defined small molecule occupancy of r(CGG)(exp) in cells, the first approach to do so. Using an RNA GFP mimic, r(CGG)(exp)-Spinach2, we observe that our optimal designed compound binds r(CGG)(exp) and affects RNA localization by disrupting preformed RNA foci. These events correlate with an improvement of pre-mRNA splicing defects caused by RNA gain of function. In addition, the compounds reduced levels of toxic homopolymeric proteins formed via RANT. Polysome profiling studies showed that small molecules decreased loading of polysomes onto r(CGG)(exp), explaining decreased translation.
Hospitalization for esophageal achalasia in the United States.

AIM: To assess the outcome of different treatments in patients admitted for esophageal achalasia in the United States. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample over an 8-year period (2003-2010). Patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of achalasia were divided into 3 groups based on their treatment: (1) Group 1: patients who underwent Heller myotomy during their hospital stay; (2) Group 2: patients who underwent esophagectomy; and (3) Group 3: patients not undergoing surgical treatment. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS), discharge destination and total hospital charges. RESULTS: Among 27141 patients admitted with achalasia, nearly half (48.5%) underwent Heller myotomy, 2.5% underwent esophagectomy and 49.0% had endoscopic or other treatment. Patients in group 1 were younger, healthier, and had the lowest mortality when compared with the other two groups. Group 2 had the highest LOS and hospital charges among all groups. Group 3 had the highest mortality (1.2%, P < 0.001) and the lowest home discharge rate (78.8%) when compared to the other groups. The most frequently performed procedures among group 3 were esophageal dilatation (25.9%) and injection (13.3%). Among patients who died in this group the most common associated morbidities included acute respiratory failure, sepsis and aspiration pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Surgery for achalasia carries exceedingly low mortality in the modern era; however, in complicated patients, even less invasive treatments are burdened by significant mortality and morbidity.
Analysis of The QT Interval in Clinical Trials

We explore adaptive (data-driven) approaches in the analysis of clinical QT data in order to find scientifically-sound solutions for correcting the QT interval for heart rate and for analysis of extreme QT measurements. We demonstrate that predefined QT correction formulas (eg, Bazett and Fridericia formulas) are unreliable when the investigational drug induces heart rate changes. Further, simple data-driven approaches (eg, QT correction formulas derived from baseline data in clinical trials) lead to a substantial inflation of the false positive rate. We discuss a QT interval analysis framework based on repeated-measures models that account for correlation among serial ECG measurements collected on the same subject and drug-induced heart rate changes. We also assess the performance of reference ranges for QT interval currently used in clinical trials.
Maintaining patient confidentiality in the public domain Internet Autopsy Database (IAD).

Abstract The Internet provides the opportunity of permitting public access to large databases containing patient information that can be shared and utilized by epidemiologists, health planners, and medical researchers. Until now, large databases containing patient information have been held in strict confidence, with database access available only to approved researchers or to researchers with access limited to only specific portions of the database. The Internet Autopsy Database (IAD) consists of demographic and pathologic data from over 49,000 autopsies contributed by over a dozen academic medical institutions. Each autopsy record in the public database consists of a uniform set of demographics and SNOMED-compatible terms. To make the database publicly available, a strategy had to be devised that assured the privacy of every person included in the database. A key step involved translating the autopsy facesheets into a listing of SNOMED-compatible terms that effectively eliminated identifying terminology, replacing free text with a generic nomenclature that preserves diagnostic information. The entire database is available on the Internet at: http:@www.med.jhu.edu/pathology/iad.html
Femoral Neck Aspiration Aids in the Diagnosis of Osteomyelitis In Children With Septic Hip.

BACKGROUND The role of femoral aspiration (FA) in the treatment of septic arthritis of the hip is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine if FA conducted concomitantly with irrigation and debridement (I&D) of the septic hip aids in microorganism and osteomyelitis identification and alters the treatment plan, or if the risks of the procedure outweigh its potential benefit. We also compare preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with FA for diagnosis of osteomyelitis cooccurring with septic arthritis. METHODS Retrospective review was performed of all patients treated at a single institution between January 2003 and June 2014 for suspected septic hip arthritis. Eighty-three patients were identified with suspected or confirmed septic arthritis and 28 patients (33%) had cooccurring osteomyelitis. Demographic and clinical data were recorded for each patient. The sensitivity and specificity of FA and MRI for diagnosing osteomyelitis were determined. RESULTS Among the 83 patients with confirmed or suspected septic arthritis, 31 patients (37%) had a FA performed at the time of the hip I&D, resulting in positive cultures in 17 patients. All of these patients had other positive cultures (blood and/or joint fluid) that grew the same organism. 54 patients (65%) had a preoperative MRI. The MRI was falsely negative in 10 patients, 6 of whom had a positive FA resulting in appropriate management of osteomyelitis. Missed or delayed diagnosis of osteomyelitis resulted in significant morbidity in 3 patients (avascular necrosis and femoral neck fracture, extensive lower extremity osteomyelitis, and subtrochanteric fracture with malunion). No complications associated with FA were identified. FA and MRI were found to have sensitivity/specificity for osteomyelitis of 100%/100% and 38%/95%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Although FA did not improve microorganism identification, it did aid in the diagnosis of cooccurring osteomyelitis when treating children with septic arthritis, especially in patients with false negative MRI findings for osteomyelitis. We recommend FA at the time of septic hip I&D as its benefits appear to far outweigh its risks. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III-diagnostic study.