cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structured Abstract: The Magic of Making More from Less—Price Discounting, Logistics, and Improved Cash Conversion Cycle

Consistent with the Academy of Marketing Science call for papers theme on the magic of marketing, this research looks at the magic of price discounts and supply chain logistics on cash conversion cycle and working capital. Cash flow is vital for firms. The important of cash flow has been discussed in many studies. Research has shown that the cash conversion cycle (a.k.a. cycle days)—i.e., the time period between purchasing and selling, measured using estimated conversion periods for inventory and receivables, less payables—is correlated with firm profitability and stock returns (e.g., Jose et al. 1996; Shin and Soenen 1998). Thus, it is no surprise that some C-suite executives are emphasizing that their buying and selling teams need to improve cash flow through more focus on credit terms of payments and discounts in negotiations and “open-to-buy” or “merchandise planning” that includes retail pricing and discount management strategy (e.g., Hansen 2012; Hoffman et al. 2011; Johnson 2011).
Smartphone Based Real-Time Health Monitoring and Intervention

Smartphones are often dubbed as “a doctor in your pocket” as they have in recent years become one of the most notable platforms for health management and monitoring. In this chapter we discuss the potentials for real-time health monitoring of chronic health conditions and data-driven intervention that aim to improve patient care at a lower cost. We outline several challenges that developers, patients, and providers face with respect to this new technology. We then review several commercial platforms for health monitoring and discuss their pros and cons. Furthermore, we present Berkeley Telemonitoring Framework, a recently developed Andorid-based open source solution for development of health-monitoring applications with security and privacy in mind. In particular, our framework offers an easy-to-use API for building client apps, deploying data-hosting servers, fault-tolerant data retrieval and storage, access to event-based Bluetooth and BLE stacks with standards for personal health devices, access to phone sensors, implementation of several vital signs estimators, gait analysis, etc. We demonstrate the use of the framework on an example fitness application MarathonCoach. We further discuss several challenges facing real-time telemonitoring. In particular, we focus on privacy and propose a novel information-theoretic framework called Private Disclosure of Information (PDI). The PDI framework formalizes a scheme for encoding the collected health data in a manner that minimizes the ability of an adversary from gaining knowledge about the patient’s diagnosis (or other information private by implication) through statistical inference, while allowing the authorized provider to use this information with no loss in utility.
Non-Meckel Small Intestine Diverticulitis

Non-Meckel small intestine diverticulitis can have many manifestations and its management is not well-defined. We report 4 unselect cases of small intestine diverticulitis; all patients were seen by the same physician at the Emergency Center at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1999 and 2014. The median age at diagnosis of these patients was 82 years (range, 76-87 years). All 4 patients presented with acute onset of abdominal pain, and computed tomography scans showed characteristics of small intestine diverticulitis unrelated to cancer. Most of the diverticula were found in the region of the duodenum and jejuno-ileal segments of the small intestine. The patients, even those with peripancreatic inflammation and localized perforation, were treated conservatively. Non-Meckel diverticulitis can be overlooked in the initial diagnosis because of the location of the diverticulosis, the age of the patient, and the rarity of the disease. Because patients with non-Meckel small intestine diverticulitis can present with acute abdominal pain, non-Meckel small intestine diverticulitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute abdominal pain, and computed tomography scans can help identify the condition. Because of the rarity of non-Meckel small intestine diverticulitis, few studies have been published, and the data are inconclusive about how best to approach these patients. Our experience with these 4 elderly patients indicates that non-Meckel small intestine diverticulitis can be treated conservatively, which avoids the potential morbidity and mortality of a surgical approach.
Dynamic range in BOLD modulation: lifespan aging trajectories and association with performance.

Alteration of dynamic range of modulation to cognitive difficulty has been proposed as a salient predictor of cognitive aging. Here, we examine in 171 adults (aged 20-94 years) the effects of age on dynamic modulation of blood oxygenation-level dependent activation to difficulty in parametrically increasing working memory (WM) load (0-, 2-, 3-, and 4-back conditions). First, we examined parametric increases and decreases in activation to increasing WM load (positive modulation effect and negative modulation effect). Second, we examined the effect of age on modulation to difficulty (WM load) to identify regions that differed with age as difficulty increased (age-related positive and negative modulation effects). Weakened modulation to difficulty with age was found in both the positive modulation (middle frontal, superior/inferior parietal) and negative modulation effect (deactivated) regions (insula, cingulate, medial superior frontal, fusiform, and parahippocampal gyri, hippocampus, and lateral occipital cortex). Age-related alterations to positive modulation emerged later in the lifespan than negative modulation. Furthermore, these effects were significantly coupled in that greater upmodulation was associated with lesser downmodulation. Importantly, greater fronto-parietal upmodulation to difficulty and greater downmodulation of deactivated regions were associated with better task accuracy and upmodulation with better WM span measured outside the scanner. These findings suggest that greater dynamic range of modulation of activation to cognitive challenge is in service of current task performance, as well as generalizing to cognitive ability beyond the scanner task, lending support to its utility as a marker of successful cognitive aging.
Christianity, Conflict, and Renewal in Australia and the Pacific

This is an impressive set of studies, bringing together ethnographic and thematic accounts by specialists working with indigenous people in Australia, French Polynesia, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, ...
Abstract 52: Contributors to the Rural Excess in Stroke Mortality: The REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study

Introduction: One NIH goal is to investigate the US nationwide rural-urban health disparities; however, few studies provide data to help understand the 30% higher rural stroke mortality. It is unknown if the higher stroke mortality is attributable to a higher incidence of stroke, or to a higher case fatality, in rural regions. Further, the role of risk factors or SES status in higher incidence or case-fatality is unknown. Methods: REGARDS participants stroke-free at baseline (n = 25,090) were stratified by Rural-Urban Commuting Area strata: urban, large rural city/town, or small rural town or isolated region. Participants were followed for incident stroke, and case fatality was defined as death within 30-days of a stroke. Difference in incident stroke was assessed using proportional hazards analysis, and case-fatality by logistic regression, each considered after adjustment for demographic factors, further adjustment for risk factors, and further adjustment for SES. Results: Over an average follow-up of 8.2 years, 1,060 incident strokes occurred, of which 160 died within 30 days. Risk of incident stroke increased with rurality (p = 0.016), with a hazard 1.21-times (95% CI: 1.00 - 1.46) higher in large rural cities/towns, and 1.24-times (95% CI: 1.00 - 1.54) higher in small rural towns or isolated regions (see table). Adjustment for risk factors and SES attenuated the estimated risk by 50%, and the association became non-significant. There was no evidence of a higher case-fatality from stroke in rural regions (p > 0.46). Discussion: The higher stroke mortality in rural regions appears to be attributable to higher stroke incidence, and not to higher case-fatality. Higher stroke incidence in rural regions is partially attributable to a worse risk factor profile and lower SES. Efforts to reduce rural disparity in stroke mortality should focus on preventive strategies, especially those relevant to risk factor development and control, and/or mitigating the impact of lower SES.
Misplacement of Stent Into Epidural Venous Plexus With Resultant Cauda Equina Syndrome and Open Surgical Treatment: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE Endovascular therapy has proven to be a safe, minimally invasive treatment for multiple etiologies, but proper precautions must be taken to avoid complications. When complications occur, they should be promptly identified and corrected when possible. This case report describes endovascular stents misplaced into the epidural spinous venous plexus rather than the iliofemoral arteries, causing cauda equina syndrome, as well as the spinal procedure performed to treat the resulting spinal canal compression. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 67-yr-old man had undergone what he thought was iliofemoral arterial stenting at an outside hospital for peripheral vascular disease. He presented 8 d later to our hospital with cauda equina syndrome comprising back pain, right L5 radiculopathy, perianal numbness, urinary retention, and constipation. Scans demonstrated stents deployed into the venous system, traversing the spinal canal and the right L5-S1 neural foramen, resulting in severe spinal canal stenosis, right L5-S1 foraminal stenosis, and moderate left S1-S2 foraminal stenosis. The patient underwent an L5-S1 laminectomy with full right L5-S1 facetectomy and left S1-S2 medial facetectomy, with associated L5-S1 posterolateral fusion with fixation to remove the stent and decompress the neural elements. CONCLUSION Although stent misplacement is an uncommon complication of endovascular therapy, this case demonstrates the importance of ensuring access to the proper vessel before stent placement. Once this complication was recognized, safe removal of the stents was possible and the patient demonstrated meaningful postoperative improvement in symptoms and strength.
Semiconducting cubic titanium nitride in the Th 3 P 4 structure

Metastable nitrogen-rich phases are of technological interest as they may possess a range of useful electronic, optical and mechanical properties. Cubic-Ti${}_{3}$N${}_{4}$ is a long-sought-after metastable phase analogous to other ${M}_{3}$N${}_{4}$ (M = tetravalent metal) compounds that were discovered in the past decade. By marrying first-principles calculations with laser-heated diamond anvil cell experiments, the authors present the first experimental discovery and characterization of cubic-Ti${}_{3}$N${}_{4}$ with high cation coordination number. The new phase is expected to exhibit excellent mechanical properties, but unlike metallic TiN, Ti${}_{3}$N${}_{4}$ is a $s\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}m\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}c\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}d\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}u\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}c\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r$ $w\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}h$ $a$ $d\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}c\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t$ $b\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}d$ $g\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}p$ $n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r$ 0.9 eV. The thermodynamic stability and transition pathway to ambient pressure are also evaluated.
Platelets adhere to and translocate on von Willebrand factor presented by endothelium in stimulated veins.

With the use of intravital microscopy, a new type of platelet-endothelial interaction in mouse mesenteric venules at low shear (80-100 seconds(-1)) is described. Stimulation of these vessels with calcium ionophore A23187, a known secretagogue of Weibel-Palade bodies, induced immediate platelet adhesion (within 15 seconds) and translocation without the formation of aggregates. This stop-and-go process reached a maximum in approximately 1 minute, when approximately 25 000 platelets adhered/mm(2).s, and then adhesion progressively decreased. This adhesion process was dependent on von Willebrand factor (vWF) and independent of P-selectin. Immunohistologic analysis showed that the venules were not denuded with A23187 treatment, suggesting that platelets adhered to vWF secreted on the luminal face of the endothelial cells. Histamine treatment induced a similar adhesion phenomenon. Platelet adhesion was not abolished in beta3-deficient mice or when the platelets were treated with inhibitory antibodies to PECAM-1 or PSGL-1, indicating that these molecules are not required for platelet-endothelium interaction at low shear. The adhesion was mediated by platelet glycoprotein Ibalpha (GPIbalpha) because the adhesion of murine platelets expressing exclusively the human GPIbalpha could be prevented by a pretreatment with mocarhagin, a snake venom protease that cleaves human GPIbalpha. The results indicate that vWF released from Weibel-Palade bodies can dramatically increase the concentration of platelets along the vessel wall through an interaction with GPIbalpha. It is proposed that this process may rapidly recruit platelets to sites of injury or inflammation in veins.
Choosing Rarity: An Exercise in Stopping Times

SummaryYou enter an online game, hoping to win a prize. You know that thirteen envelopes of two colors will appear one by one on your screen, and you know that there will be five of one color and eight of the other. Each of the five envelopes, those with the “rare” color, contains $100, while the others are empty. However, you do not know which color is which, and you can only select one envelope; once you click, the game is over. How should you play to maximize the probability of winning? We provide an optimal strategy for this game and a generalization.
Interferometric Thin-Film Optical Biosensors

When molecules accumulate out of solution onto a dielectric substrate that is illuminated by an optical field, the reflected field is altered by the accumulating surface-bound molecules. If the molecular surface attachment is specific, meaning that only predefined target molecules are bound, while other nontarget molecules do not bind, then by monitoring the reflection change, the target molecule concentration in the solution can be obtained. This is the basic process of all surface-capture affinity optical biosensors: specific molecular recognition, followed by transduction of the captured molecules to a measurable optical signal. The primary goal of all affinity biosensors is to achieve the highest specificity (ratio of specific to nonspecific captured molecules) at the highest sensitivity (smallest detectable molecular signal).
Distinct Effector B Cells Induced by Unregulated Toll-like Receptor 7 Contribute to Pathogenic Responses in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Summary Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by B cells lacking IgD and CD27 (double negative; DN). We show that DN cell expansions reflected a subset of CXCR5- CD11c+ cells (DN2) representing pre-plasma cells (PC). DN2 cells predominated in African-American patients with active disease and nephritis, anti-Smith and anti-RNA autoantibodies. They expressed a T-bet transcriptional network; increased Toll-like receptor-7 (TLR7); lacked the negative TLR regulator TRAF5; and were hyper-responsive to TLR7. DN2 cells shared with activated naive cells (aNAV), phenotypic and functional features, and similar transcriptomes. Their PC differentiation and autoantibody production was driven by TLR7 in an interleukin-21 (IL-21)-mediated fashion. An in vivo developmental link between aNAV, DN2 cells, and PC was demonstrated by clonal sharing. This study defines a distinct differentiation fate of autoreactive naive B cells into PC precursors with hyper-responsiveness to innate stimuli, as well as establishes prominence of extra-follicular B cell activation in SLE, and identifies therapeutic targets.
Sea Ice: A Factor in Influencing Climate on Short and Long Time Scales

Traditionally, understanding the climate system has fallen to many different disciplines that have studied their part of the climate system in isolation. Over the past ten years it has become clear that in order to fully understand the climate we must study it as an integrated system that encompasses many fields, including meteorology, glaciology, geology, and oceanography. One feature of the climate system that has an impact on each of the components of the climate system is sea ice, through its impact on the interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere. This is because first, sea ice has a dramatic effect on the surface albedo over the ocean areas, thus affecting the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the atmosphere and the ocean. Second, sea ice is a very efficient insulator, affecting the exchange of energy and moisture between the atmosphere and the ocean by up to two orders of magnitude. This affects the temperatures of the ocean and atmosphere, and the amount of moisture in the atmosphere that is available as precipitation and snowfall over both ocean and land. Since continental ice sheets, the most dramatic feature of an ice age, are formed from snowfall on land surfaces, we find that sea ice can also influence the climate on the land.
Venting as Epistemic Work

We claim that venting can be epistemic work: if one vents to the right sort of person, knowledge can be gained about an oppressive social structure, one’s place in it, and how to repair the epistem...
Evaluation of Outcomes After Initiating Triple Antidiabetic Therapy with a GLP-1 RA in an Integrated Health Care System.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by chronic hyper-glycemia and can lead to life-threatening complications if not treated. A stepwise and patient-centered approach is recommended w...
Data Philanthropy: An Explorative Study

Data philanthropy, which is firm donations of data, data scientists, and data technologies for social good, is a powerful new phenomenon that offers benefits to both donor firms and society. In this explorative research we unpack data philanthropy, providing definitions, and examples along with a theoretical perspective from corporate philanthropy and strategic management. We view data through a lens from the resource-based view of the firm. Based on the premise that data is an asset of the firm, we discuss how data philanthropy conforms and differs from traditional corporate philanthropy. Given data's requirements for substantial complementary assets and appropriate context, we propose that data can be shared for social good without harming the firm and may result in unforeseen benefits for the firm. In analyzing three examples, we offer several propositions regarding this new phenomenon. (Less)
An exact source-term balancing scheme on the finite element solution of shallow water equations

Abstract In this paper, a numerical model is presented based on a semi-discrete Streamline Upwind Petrov–Galerkin scheme for solving the two-dimensional shallow water equations with arbitrary bed topography and wetting–drying fronts. The present finite element method is implemented for moving-boundary problems on fixed numerical meshes. In order to satisfy the C-property for both still water and dry regions, a new exact source-term balancing method is presented within the finite element framework. The formulation is stabilized using two different stabilization terms, and a discontinuity-capturing scheme is used to simulate steep wave fronts. The second-order scheme is applied for both temporal and spatial discretization. The proposed mathematical balancing method is verified through well-known test cases including the traditional dam break problem, evolution of a dam break wave over an obstacle, and oscillation of a bead of water in a parabolically-shaped basin.
Treatment decision making in metastatic prostate cancer (mPC).

224Background: Multiple treatments exist for mPC, and optimal treatment choice is not defined. Shared decision making (SDM) in which physicians communicate treatment purpose, risks, and benefits, a...
Behavioral Approaches to Weight Management for Health and Wellness

Obesity has become a public health crisis associated with serious health problems. It is a problem that is, by and large, remarkably simple: you gain weight as a result of consuming more calories than you burn. Applied behavior analysis and behavior therapy have produced a range of methods and technologies well-suited to address the problems of overeating and physical inactivity. These methods and technologies, and the conceptual foundations underpinning them, are the focus of this article.
Non-invasive Brain Stimulation of the Posterior Parietal Cortex Alters Postural Adaptation

Effective central sensory integration of visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive information is required to promote adaptability in response to changes in the environment during postural control. Patients with a lesion in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) have an impaired ability to form an internal representation of body position, an important factor for postural control and adaptation. Suppression of PPC excitability has also been shown to decrease postural stability in some contexts. As of yet, it is unknown whether stimulation of the PPC may influence postural adaptation. This investigation aimed to identify whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the bilateral PPC could modulate postural adaptation in response to a bipedal incline postural adaptation task. Using young, healthy subjects, we delivered tDCS over bilateral PPC followed by bouts of inclined stance (incline-interventions). Analysis of postural after-effects identified differences between stimulation conditions for maximum lean after-effect (LAE; p = 0.005) as well as a significant interaction between condition and measurement period for the average position (p = 0.03). We identified impaired postural adaptability following both active stimulation conditions. Results reinforce the notion that the PPC is involved in motor adaptation and extend this line of research to the realm of standing posture. The results further highlight the role of the bilateral PPC in utilizing sensory feedback to update one's internal representation of verticality and demonstrates the diffuse regions of the brain that are involved in postural control and adaptation. This information improves our understanding of the role of the cortex in postural control, highlighting the potential for the PPC as a target for sensorimotor rehabilitation.
Bank Value at Risk (VAR) disclosures. A missed leading indicator to the Financial Crisis of 2008

The financial crisis of 2008 led to devastating consequences such as bankruptcies and recession in the US economy. Many big banks were at the forefront owing to their risk exposures and open positions. Prior research documents that bank financial statements did not provide adequate lead indicators on the looming crisis in reducing information asymmetry. However, there is no prior research focused on the sufficiency of risk disclosures around this time period. This paper seeks to address this gap using Bank Value at Risk (VAR), a single number publicly disclosed in the annual reports of banks. Bank VAR attempts to quantify the worst possible loss the bank expects to have on its trading portfolios under normal market conditions. Using hand-collected data from the annual reports of the top twelve US banks, this study documents that the change in VAR was steady and positive until the point of the crisis and then decreased in the years thereafter. A repeated-measures analysis of variance model is used to study whether two indicators of VAR (year-to-year change in VAR and log-transformed ratio of VAR to the total trading revenue) differ from pre-crisis to the post-crisis levels. Both VAR indicators reveal an increasing trend pre-crisis and are significantly higher pre-crisis compared to post-crisis. This opens the possibility that the trend of VAR might have information content as a potential leading indicator of the crisis. The finding sheds light on efficacy of risk analysis in ­­bank trading portfolios and could have implications for governance.
On the Identifiability of Latent Class Models for Multiple-Systems Estimation

Latent class models have recently become popular for multiple-systems estimation in human rights applications. However, it is currently unknown when a given family of latent class models is identifiable in this context. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions on the number of latent classes needed for a family of latent class models to be identifiable. Along the way we provide a mechanism for verifying identifiability in a class of multiple-systems estimation models that allow for individual heterogeneity.
4D Imaging of ceramic matrix composites during polymer infiltration and pyrolysis

Abstract This study investigates microstructural evolution of pores in a woven-fabric ceramic matrix composite (CMC) laminate manufactured using multi-step polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP). The evolution of pores was visualized and quantified by leveraging high-resolution X-ray micro-computed tomography (µCT) and machine-learning-based image segmentation. X-ray µCT imaging was performed after each PIP step to capture the progression of the evolving microstructure. Segmentation of tomographic images was performed semi-automatically to identify individual fiber tows and automatically to identify pores using Trainable Weka Segmentation. Analysis of segmented image data was performed to determine changes in the percent, distribution, and connectivity of pores with each manufacturing step. Results reveal that the CMC retained about 2.5% of porosity by volume, despite five consecutive PIP re-infiltrations. 3D X-ray µCT image data revealed that persistent porosity was predominantly caused by pores that formed before or during the initial C-staging of the resin. Analysis of segmented image data showed that connectivity between pores and the free surfaces increased significantly after the initial pyrolysis, and the first two re-infiltrations filled a majority of these connections. After C-staging and initial pyrolysis, pores tended to form between fiber tows and primarily in interstitial regions. Throughout PIP manufacturing, the through-thickness distribution of pores was relatively uniform, and small pores were more readily filled during consecutive re-infiltrations, likely due to their higher capillarity. It was also revealed that the shape of shrinkage cracks was similar to those that formed within unidirectional, single-tow specimens, which suggests that single-tow specimens are a good analog for studying the formation of shrinkage cracks within woven-fiber tows. Overall, this paper presents novel ways to study the 3D evolution of pores within CMCs by leveraging X-ray µCT imaging and machine-learning-based segmentation algorithms.
Mechanisms of multimodality: androgenic hormones and adaptive flexibility in multimodal displays

Multimodal displays are a long-standing fascination of behavioural biologists because many signallers can adjust display architecture or switch signalling modality, often to exploit the advantages or avoid the disadvantages of a particular signalling environment. Yet, how such adaptive flexibility occurs remains poorly understood. Here, we argue that studying the endocrine modulation of multimodal signal production can close this knowledge gap. We first highlight a concept well known to behavioural endocrinologists that sex steroid hormones, and in particular androgens, can mediate the integration of multiple signalling traits at the organismal level. We then hypothesize that endocrine responses also play a role in maintaining flexibility in multimodal displays over time and space and may be key in responding quickly to fluctuating environments. To support these ideas, we use as our major example our own work in ‘foot-flagging’ frogs, Staurois parvus. We provide an overview of prior work on multimodal signalling in this species, as well as initial data from network analyses that point to androgen-mediated adaptive shifts in multimodal display architecture. We conclude by suggesting future work to further elucidate the connections between the signalling environment, androgenic hormones and behavioural flexibility in multimodal communication.
Stability of an Oscillating Airfoil in Supersonic Airflow

The conditions for the determination of the stability of a twodimensional airfoil oscillating harmonically with two degrees of freedom in a supersonic flow are developed. The stability is expressed in terms of the position of the axis of rotation of the airfoil, the reduced frequency, the Mach Number, the ratio of the amplitudes of the torsional and flexural modes, and the phase angle between the modes and evaluations are made for Mach Numbers ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 and for reduced frequencies from 0.1 to 2.0. The range of reduced frequencies and Mach Numbers for instability of a two degree of freedom system are indicated. I t is shown tha t instability for single degree of freedom torsional motion does not occur at a Mach Number greater than 1.58. The effects of the pivot position on the stability for various phase angles and amplitude ratios of the two modes of motion of the airfoil are discussed. Tables of aerodynamic parameters for an oscillating airfoil in a supersonic flow are given as a supplement to previously published values.
Cytochrome c2 of Rhodospirillum rubrum I. MOLECULAR PROPERTIES OF THE PROTEIN AND AMINO ACID SEQUENCES OF ITS PEPTIDES DERIVED BY THE ACTION OF TRYPSIN AND THERMOLYSIN

Abstract The molecular properties of cytochrome c2 isolated from light grown cells of the facultative photoanaerobe, Rhodospirillum rubrum, are described as evaluated after final purification by isoelectric fractionation. The protein was found to consist of a single polypeptide chain comprising 112 amino acid residues, with freely available glutamic acid and lysine marking the amino-terminal and the carboxyl-terminal positions, respectively. Based on the presence of a single protoheme IX, a formula weight of 12,840 was obtained. The distinctively different physiological and physicochemical properties of this c-type cytochrome, as compared to mammalian cytochromes c, are discussed. The peptides resulting from digestion of the protein by trypsin and by thermolysin were isolated and purified; their compositions and amino acid sequences are presented in several tables. Extensive application of the Edman degradation to these peptides, together with positive identification of the resulting phenylthiohydantoins, afforded direct evidence for all sequence assignments within the peptides obtained. The advantages and disadvantages of hydrolysis by trypsin and thermolysin as applied to cytochrome c2 are discussed.
Small ball probabilities for the Slepian Gaussian fields

The d-dimensional Slepian Gaussian random field {S(t),t ∈ R d + } is a mean zero Gaussian process with covariance function ES(s)S(t) = I d i =i max(0,a i - s i -t i for a i > 0 and t = (t i ,...,t d ) ∈ R d + . Small ball probabilities for S(t) are obtained under the L 2 -norm on [0,1] d , and under the sup-norm on [0,1] 2 which implies Talagrand's result for the Brownian sheet. The method of proof for the sup-norm case is purely probabilistic and analytic, and thus avoids ingenious combinatoric arguments of using decreasing mathematical induction. In particular, Riesz product techniques are new ingredients in our arguments.
Radium and external irradiation versus radium and operation for early invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Abstract A comparison was made of three series of patients with carcinoma of the cervix, Stage IB, treated with three different methods: radium followed by orthovoltage external irradiation, supervoltage Co 60 external irradiation followed by radium, and radical operation with or without preliminary radium treatment. The group treated surgically had a higher 5 year survival, and a lower incidence of recurrence and complications. Patients treated with orthovoltage irradiation had lower survival and complications, but higher incidence of recurrence than those treated with the supervoltage technique. The incidence of complications, recurrence, and survival was proportional to the amount of irradiation administered. Only operation was found effective in treatment of carcinoma recurrent after irradiation. Statistical analysis has proved the significance of these differences.
Effect of the Solidification Rate on Microstructure of Cast Mg Alloys at Low Superheat

This paper investigates the effect of cooling rate on the grain size and microstructure of Mg AZ31B alloy cast at a superheat of 8°C using the Magnetic Suspension Melting (MSM) process, which is capable of melting and casting at superheats less than 5°C. In this study, the Mg alloy was unidirectionally solidified in a bottom-chill mold with stainless steel and copper chill blocks. The solidification parameters, namely growth velocity (V) and temperature gradient (G), were determined from numerical simulation of the cooling curves, which was found to be in good agreement with measurements. For the investigated solidification rates, metallographic examination showed globular solidification morphology, and the grain size was inversely proportional to the square root of the cooling rate. Microprobe analysis of the cast ingots also showed that Al segregation occurs primarily at the grain boundaries, and the solidification rate affects the size and distribution of both the secondary α phase and the intermetallic Mg17Al12 phase.
Prognosis for primary retroperitoneal sarcoma survivors: a conditional survival analysis.

BACKGROUND: The AJCC staging system and post-operative nomograms use patient and tumor characteristics to provide prognostic estimates after resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). While these variables help to predict survival at the time of diagnosis and resection, the applicability of these prognostic factors to survivors of RPS remains unknown. We hypothesized that the variables evaluated in the current staging system and post-operative nomograms would have limited ability to predict conditional survival in patients surgically treated for RPS. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using National Cancer Institute-sponsored tumor registries. We identified 1,199 patients who underwent surgical resection for non-metastatic RPS from 1988 to 2007. Conditional survival was defined as time-specific estimates conditioned on living a certain number of years post-diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the impact of various factors on sarcoma-specific survival (SSS) at baseline and up to 5 years after diagnosis. RESULTS: Older age, male gender, histologic subtype, and high tumor grade predicted worse SSS at the time of diagnosis. After 1 year of survival, older age, male gender, and histologic subtype were no longer significant predictors of conditional survival. Only high grade tumors remained a significant predictor of worse prognosis after 5 years of survival (HR 1.95). CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study demonstrates that the factors which are predictive of survival at baseline lose significance after one year of survival. Conditional survival estimates allow clinicians to provide survivors with more meaningful prognostic estimates that may impact surveillance schedules and streamline adjuvant therapy decisions and design of future clinical trials. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Chemical ecology of marine microbial defense

Because marine animals and plants are continuously exposed to a large diversity of potentially harmful microorganisms, it seems reasonable to hypothesize that potential hosts might produce bioactive compounds to deter microbial attack. However, little is known about how host metabolites may defend against harmful microbes or facilitate the growth or colonization of helpful symbionts. While there is a large body of literature describing the antimicrobial activities of marine secondary metabolites, we are only now beginning to understand how these compounds function in an ecological context. For example, there is mounting evidence that nontoxic concentrations of secondary metabolites can have significant effects on microbial behavior, suggesting that certain host-microbe interactions are chemically mediated. Herein, we discuss the importance of employing ecologically relevant assays to elucidate microbiological effects and the need to develop a better understanding of host-microbe associations within an ecologically realistic context. Continued research in this field along with improved techniques will certainly provide further insight into how microbes have influenced the evolution of secondary metabolite production in marine organisms.
Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Sulfamates

Methyl triterpenoates derived from oleanolic, ursolic, betulinic, glycyrrhetinic, platanic, or maslinic acid were converted into their corresponding sulfamates and carbamoylsulfamates. The sulfamates were screened in photometric sulforhodamine assays for cytotoxic activity employing several human tumor cell lines. Many of the compounds showed EC50 values in one-digit μM concentration. Of special interest seems methyl (3β) 3-(aminosulfonyloxy)-11-oxo-oleanoate (18) showing good cytotoxicity for the human adenocarcinomic alveolar basal epithelial cell line A549 while being less toxic for non-malignant NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts.
The Role of Racial Identification, Social Acceptance/Rejection, Social Cognition, and Racial Socialization in Multiracial Youth’s Positive Development

Deficit-based scholarship has suggested that multiracial youth are maladjusted due to racial identity confusion and social marginality. This paper proposes an integrative model of multiracial youth’s positive development. This model highlights the important role of social cognition in understanding multiracial youth’s development. Drawing on Spencer’s PVEST, developmental research on monoracial and multiracial youth, and the racial socialization literature, I argue that multiracial youth’s perceptions of how their racial identity choices are accepted in their social environment have implications for their adjustment. Serving as developmental resources, parents can attenuate their children’s social perceptual biases or enhance their abilities to cope with actualized negative social experiences by engaging in cultural socialization, preparation for bias, and transmitting race-related messages that help multiracial children reframe their negative perceptions.
Dynamic optimization flow control

In this paper, we introduce a class of flow control problems in a network which involves dynamic optimization. As opposed to the static flow control problem where the source rates are determined as a result of a static optimization problem, in our formulation the rates are adjusted according to the solution of an infinite-horizon discounted optimal control problem. The objective is to maximize the aggregate source utility over transmission rates, while at the same time keeping the buffer occupancies throughout the network at an acceptable level.
Evaluation of Simethicone for the Treatment of Postoperative Abdominal Discomfort in Infants

Abstract Study Objective: To determine whether abdominal discomfort is a cause for distress symptoms in infants following administration of inhalational anesthesia, and to evaluate the effectiveness of simethicone in treating this discomfort. Design: Randomized, double-blinded study. Setting: Large tertiary care, university-based medical center. Patients: 175 ASA physical status I and II infants under 28 months of age who underwent an inhalational anesthetic for a variety of procedures that were expected to cause relatively little pain. Interventions: Children were assessed for the presence of postoperative abdominal discomfort, and, if evident, were randomly given either simethicone or placebo in a double-blinded fashion. Measurements and main results: Abdominal discomfort was measured using the Faces Legs Activity Cry and Consolability (FLACC) Behavioral Pain Scale. Scores were recorded pre-drug; at 10, 20, and 30 minutes following drug administration; and at discharge. If discomfort had not resolved within 15 minutes after the drug was given, routine analgesics or other medications were administered. Abdominal girth was measured preoperatively, on admission into the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and at discharge. 21% of infants exhibited symptoms of abdominal discomfort postoperatively. Younger infants were at greater risk for this condition. 36 infants were given either placebo or simethicone, and of these, infants who received simethicone were comfortable earlier and required fewer rescue medications compared with placebo. There were no differences in ability to tolerate oral fluids prior to discharge or in the length of stay in the PACU. Conclusions: Simethicone is a safe and inexpensive medication that may provide anesthesiologists with an effective treatment choice for suspected postoperative abdominal discomfort in infants.
Paediatric Cardiology, 2nd edition, volumes 1 and 2

Robert H. Anderson, Edward J. Baker, Fergus J. McCartney, et al, eds. 1036 pp (vol 1) and 1036 pp (vol 2). London: Churchill Livingstone; 2002. $399.00. ISBN: 0-4430-7990-0 A long-awaited second edition of Paediatric Cardiology has finally been published, after a period of 15 years. The chief editor, Robert Anderson, is one of the founding fathers of the field of cardiac morphology. The second edition has retained much of its original focus on cardiac morphology, laying out the “heart” of the subject, as it were. Its persisting emphasis on the importance of understanding the morphology of congenital heart disease (CHD) comes from having retained most of the primary authors and many more of the illustrations from the first edition. Indeed, improving non-invasive imaging technology has shifted the illustration of anatomy questions from the autopsy table to the echo laboratory. The new …
Ethnic differences in adolescents' perceived health status: preliminary findings

The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify ethnic differences in the perceived health status among three ethnic groups of adolescents. Significant differences were found for perceived health as measured by the General Health Rating Index (GHRI) [ F (2, 94)=8.11, p =.0006]. Tukey's post hoc analysis showed that European American and Latino American subjects scored higher on the GHRI than African Americans. These preliminary findings have implications for further research on perceived health status among ethnically diverse populations of adolescents.
Birt‐Hogg‐Dube Syndrome – an Easily Missed Diagnosis

Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome is a rare autosomal genodermatosis characterized by the triad of fibrofolliculomas, trichodyscomas and acrochordons. The gene for BHD was localised to chromosome 17p11.2 and a germline insertion/deletion was identified to cause premature truncation of the BHD protein, folliculin. Patients carry increased risk for developing lung cysts, spontaneous pneumothorax, and renal carcinoma. Prompt diagnosis is important for patient clinical management. We encountered a 41 year-old white male, otherwise healthy, with classic clinical presentation of BHD, i.e. numerous firm, smooth, whitish papules covering his face and neck, which were developed after adolescence. There is no related family history. Nine biopsies were taken during the past 5 years. The following changes are present: markedly dilated hair follicles, telangiectasia in fibrosing stroma, and melanocytic nevus cells. Diagnoses of epidermal inclusion cyst, fibrous papules, and dermal nevus were given. However, some subtle but diagnostic histopathological features for fibrofolliculoma, perifolliculafibroma, and trichodyscoma were overlooked. Correct diagnosis was reached upon review of all the biopsies. Patient is currently undergoing genetic testing and clinical workups. We present this case to update our knowledge on this rare disease, particularly the diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and diagnostic pitfalls, in order to avoid the delay of correct diagnosis.
Genetic selection and systematic breeding in Pacific oyster culture

Abstract Oyster culture in the Pacific Northwest has seen many technological improvements in the past 5 years. Among the most important of these improvements are the ones that have made possible and increased reliance on hatchery-produced seed. Because of these developments, various sources predict that by 1985 virtually 100% of the seed utilized in the Pacific Northwest will come from hatcheries. This increased reliance on hatchery-produced seed and industry diversification suggests that a more organized approach to genetic strain development would be beneficial. The benefits of such an approach are illustrated by the results of a program currently underway at the University of Washington. This program has emphasized a systematic selection and breeding approach to improve resistance to summer mortality. In addition to improvements in this trait, important information has been obtained on the etiology of the summer mortality, control of reproduction, and the genetics of carbohydrate (glycogen) content. These results are discussed in terms of their applicability to and use by the oyster industry.
The Use of a Socially Constructed Genogram in Clinical Practice

This paper discusses the rationale for a socially constructed genogram, allowing for multiple definitions of family to be represented. It describes the role of the problem system and the utility of this genogram in these situations. It describes the set-up of a socially constructed genogram and provides clinical examples.
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid derived, redox-sensitive contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging.

The design and synthesis of three 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (DO3A) derivatives bearing linkers with terminal thiol groups and a preliminary evaluation of their potential f...
The Value of Pleural Fluid Analysis

Pleural fluid analysis in isolation may have clinical value. To have the greatest diagnostic impact, the clinician must formulate a prethoracentesis diagnosis based on the clinical presentation, blood tests, and radiographic imaging. With this approach, a definitive or confident clinical diagnosis can be expected in up to 95% of patients. The information in this report should allow the clinician to achieve this goal.