cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceived Changes in Audit Quality and Firm Value: Evidence From Investors’ Reaction to the Revelation of Limiting Liability Agreements in Audit Engagement Letters

We examine the value of changes in U.S. investors’ perceptions of audit quality by analyzing the market reaction to the first public revelation of liability limiting agreements (LLAs) in audit engagement letters of publicly traded firms. The revelation of the existence of LLAs in audit engagement letters of publicly traded firms results in substantial losses in their values and lower shareholders’ approval of their auditors. Consistent with investors’ reaction to the revelation being associated with concerns about audit quality, the loss in value is strongly related to clients’ incentives and opportunity to misreport. Specifically, the loss is more pronounced when a firm’s earnings quality is low, the firm’s recent reported earnings barely meet the average analyst earnings forecast, the firm has recently issued stocks, and the managers have recently sold stocks on their own accounts. The loss is also attenuated when outsiders constitute a super-majority of the firm’s board of directors. Overall, the evidence suggests that investors attribute a substantial premium to external audits and that investors’ negative perception of audit quality significantly increases issuers’ cost of capital and, consequently, adversely affects firm value.
Interleukin-8 Induces Proliferation of Ovarian Cancer Cells in 3D Spheroids

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most common cause of cancer deaths among gynecological malignancies. OC ascites contain multicellular spheroid aggregates, which exhibit increased pro-survival signaling, invasive behavior, and chemotherapeutic resistance. OC cells are characterized by an increased expression of the pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8, CXCL8), which increases their survival and migration, thus contributing to OC metastasis and angiogenesis. While previous studies have shown that IL-8 increases proliferation of OC cells grown in monolayer cultures, the effect of IL-8 on proliferation of OC cells grown in 3D spheroids has not been investigated. The spheroid 3D culture assays have been particularly useful in translational research since they allow cell-to-cell interactions that resemble tumor growth in vivo, while allowing easy cell manipulations and visualization. Here, we used the 3D spheroid culture assay to investigate the effect of IL-8 on OC cell proliferation. Using this assay, our results show that IL-8 significantly increases proliferation of OC cells grown in 3D spheroids.
The Decline of Patrilineal Kin Propinquity in the United States, 1790-1940.

Background Historical change in the availability of kin beyond the household has long interested scholars, but there has been little comparable evidence on long-run change. While generally accepted that individuals lived near kin historically, no systematic measures have been available to assess historical kin propinquity at the national level. Methods With the release of historical complete count United States census data from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS), a robust estimate of patrilineal kin propinquity for the United States nationally from 1790 to 1940 is calculated. Defined as the probability of non-random isonymy within an enumeration district, the estimate of patrilineal kin propinquity relies on the sequential ordering of households in the census. Results The United States experienced a long-run decline in patrilineal kin propinquity from nearly 50% of households in 1790 to 17% of households in 1940. The age patterns of kin propinquity show substantial variation across the life course, and regional differences demonstrate the impact of economic and demographic conditions. The decline in kin propinquity reflected urbanization and the decline of agriculture, declining kin availability, growing distance between potential kin links, and a change in preferences of living near kin. Contribution This is the first study to produce a systematic estimate of patrilineal kin propinquity at the national level for the United States between 1790 and 1940. Researchers can use this meaningful measure of patrilineal kin propinquity to better explain its relationships with other demographic behaviors and outcomes such as fertility, mortality, and migration choices.
Deterministic fabrication of arbitrary vertical heterostructures of two-dimensional Ruddlesden-Popper halide perovskites.

Ruddlesden–Popper lead halide perovskites have emerged as a new class of two-dimensional semiconductors with tunable optoelectronic properties, potentially offering unlimited heterostructure configurations for exploration. However, the practical realization of such heterostructures is challenging because of the difficulty in achieving controllable direct synthesis or van der Waals integration of halide perovskites due to their mobile and fragile crystal lattices. Here we report direct growth of large-area nanosheets of diverse phase-pure Ruddlesden–Popper perovskites with thicknesses down to one monolayer at the solution–air interface and a reliable approach for gently transferring and stacking these nanosheets. These advances enable the deterministic fabrication of arbitrary vertical heterostructures and multi-heterostructures of Ruddlesden–Popper perovskites with greater structural degrees of freedom that define the electronic structures of the heterojunctions. Such rationally designed heterostructures exhibit interesting interlayer properties, such as interlayer carrier transfer and reduction of the photoluminescence linewidth, and could enable the exploration of exciton physics and optoelectronic applications. The direct growth of large-area nanosheets of diverse phase-pure Ruddlesden–Popper perovskites enables the fabrication of arbitrary vertical heterostructures and multi-heterostructures of perovskites.
Antinociception mechanisms of action of cannabinoid-based medicine: an overview for anesthesiologists and pain physicians

Cannabinoid-based medications possess unique multimodal analgesic mechanisms of action, modulating diverse pain targets. Cannabinoids are classified based on their origin into three categories: endocannabinoids (present endogenously in human tissues), phytocannabinoids (plant derived) and synthetic cannabinoids (pharmaceutical). Cannabinoids exert an analgesic effect, peculiarly in hyperalgesia, neuropathic pain and inflammatory states. Endocannabinoids are released on demand from postsynaptic terminals and travels retrograde to stimulate cannabinoids receptors on presynaptic terminals, inhibiting the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. Cannabinoids (endogenous and phytocannabinoids) produce analgesia by interacting with cannabinoids receptors type 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2), as well as putative non-CB1/CB2 receptors; G protein-coupled receptor 55, and transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1. Moreover, they modulate multiple peripheral, spinal and supraspinal nociception pathways. Cannabinoids-opioids cross-modulation and synergy contribute significantly to tolerance and antinociceptive effects of cannabinoids. This narrative review evaluates cannabinoids' diverse mechanisms of action as it pertains to nociception modulation relevant to the practice of anesthesiologists and pain medicine physicians.
Research on Weld Recognition Method Based on Mask R-CNN

In order to improve the efficiency of welding operations and the quality of welding products, reduce the work intensity of welders and improve the harsh working environment, through the welding seam tracking technology, the welding seam image collected by the camera is transferred to the computer for welding seam recognition and automatic welding seam image Recognition is the key technology for research on automated weld tracking. In this paper, the Mask R-CNN model is applied to the recognition of micro-gap welds. This method uses deep learning network for feature extraction, and realizes weld recognition and location. First, the Mask RCNN convolutional neural network is used to extract weld features from the weld image, and then the least square method and weld centerline extraction are used to obtain the width, angle and position of the weld to facilitate real-time tracking and positioning of the welding. The recognition accuracy rate is over 97%. The results show that, compared with traditional machine vision methods, the deep learning Mask R-CNN model has the ability to automatically learn from the training set, abandons the learning features manually set, and greatly improves the recognition efficiency and adaptability.
Multidisciplinary Clinical Considerations in the Treatment of Pediatric Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.

ABSTRACT Background Epithelial ovarian cancers are a rare subset of the less than 1% of ovarian cancers diagnosed in children. This case highlights considerations when caring for these patients. Case Evaluation of a 12-year-old postmenarchal girl who presented with suprapubic pain revealed a solid/cystic pelvic mass involving bilateral adnexa and elevated Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125) level. Diagnostic laparoscopy pathology confirmed low-grade papillary serous ovarian carcinoma. Treatment involved surgical tumor debulking, hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and omentectomy; adjuvant chemotherapy with no residual disease, and normalization of Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125) level; and an aromatase inhibitor for maintenance. Summary and Conclusion In children with adult-type gynecologic cancers necessitating treatments including surgical sterilization and hormone-modulating therapy, psychological support and developmentally informed collaboration between adult and pediatric services is essential. Clinical decisions for long-term bone and sexual health present opportunities for future research.
Simultaneous Application of Mixotrophic Culture and Magnetic Fields as a Strategy to Improve Spirulina sp. LEB 18 Phycocyanin Synthesis.

Spirulina is a filamentous microalga which is considered a promising alternative source of essential nutrients and active biomolecules. High production cost and the space required to install a photobioreactor are two of the greatest challenges in the industrial application of microalga-based products. Thus, this study aimed to improve Spirulina sp. LEB 18 biomass and phycocyanin content by combining the application of mixotrophic culture and magnetic fields (MF). Zarrouk medium was modified with 1 and 3 g/L liquid molasses and the application of 30 mT for 1·h/d was investigated. Mixotrophic culture with 1 g/L molasses showed the highest biomass concentration (1.62 g/L), carbohydrate content (25.6%), and lipid contents (8.7%) after 15 days. Although the combination of 30 mT and 1 g/L liquid molasses decreased biomass production (1.44 g/L), there was increase in protein yield (76.9%) and protein productivity (73.8 mg/L·d). The proposed method increased phycocyanin production by 145% and its purity from 0.584 in the control culture to 0.627. Data described by this study show that the combination of mixotrophic culture and MF application is a promising alternative to increase microalga protein and phycocyanin production.
A Short Dance

I was filming on an island where it was summer in January. The tourists had returned to their countries, and the stands that sold to them were closed. We were the only strangers on the island. It was odd being there so long. We filmed eight weeks, and all that time we got no news. There weren't any papers. The director had a portable radio, but it received nothing we could understand. Once the BBC came in faintly and we heard there was a war over the Suez. A month later we heard a second broadcast. The war was not mentioned.
The Contagion of Prosocial Behavior and the Emergence of Voluntary-Contribution Communities

Every day, millions of people write online restaurant reviews, leave product ratings, provide answers to an unknown user’s question, or contribute lines of code to open-source software, all without any direct reward or recognition. People help strangers offline as well, as when people anonymously donate blood or stop to help a stranded motorist, but these behaviors are relatively rare compared to the pervasiveness of online communities based on user-generated content. Why are mutual-help communities far more common online than in traditional offline settings that are not mediated by the Internet? We address this puzzle in two steps. We begin with empirical evidence from an online experiment that tests two mechanisms for the contagion of helping behavior: “generalized reciprocity” and “third-party influence”. We then use an empirically calibrated agent-based model to show how these mechanisms interact with the rivalness of contributions, that is, the extent to which the benefit from a contribution is limited to just one beneficiary (as when helping a stranded motorist) or benefits many people at once (as when contributing a product review online). The results suggest that the non-rivalness of most user-generated content provides a plausible explanation for the rapid diffusion of helping behavior in online communities.
High Quality Information Retrieval for Improving the Conduct and Management of Research and Development

The purpose of the present paper is to convey the importance of high quality information retrieval for maximizing progress in R&D, and to present generic protocols for constructing high quality literature queries. The paper begins with an example of the information retrieval limitations characteristic of present R&D practices, describes requirements for conducting high quality information retrieval, and presents a proposal for expanding dissemination and widening access to high quality information retrieval methods. Retrieval of medical R&D information was selected as an illustrative example.
Controlling Contradictions Among Regulations

The decade of the 1970s imposed environmental and health and safety regulations throughout the economy, adding to the economic regulation, equal opportunity regulation, and other prior government regulation. Different parts of the Environmental Protection Agency dictate how a company will handle its liquid, gaseous, and solid wastes, while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that workers be protected against harmful exposures to the chemicals. Although the depressed auto industry received national attention, many other aspects of the economy are subject to contradictory regulations generated by the ''one at a time'' approach of Congress to externalities. Although the more general analysis proposed by the author is more difficult to implement, the effort is necessary. 8 references.
Nuclear factor-kappaB and inhibitor of kappaB kinase pathways in oncogenic initiation and progression.

Nuclear factor- κ B and inhibitor of κ B kinase pathways in oncogenic initiation and progression
Token Majority: The Work Attitudes of Male Flight Attendants

This study examined the work experiences of men, a traditional workplace majority, as minority members of a female-dominated occupation. We used tokenism and social categorization theories to propose and test a set of hypotheses that link token status (a less than 15% minority) with male flight attendants' work attitudes through intervening psychological and job factors. Survey data from a sample of 236 male and female flight attendants supported a model in which a negative relationship between token status and the work attitudes of job satisfaction and organizational attachment was mediated by low self-esteem, increased role ambiguity, and poor job fit. The uncovering of these previously unmeasured intervening variables strengthens theoretical connections between demography and work outcomes and suggests leverage points for improving the work attitudes of individuals in the minority.
Wireless Versus Wired Iontophoresis for Treating Patellar Tendinopathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Context: The efficacy of the relatively new wireless iontophoresis patch compared with the traditional wired dose controller is unknown. Objective: To determine the differences among 2 iontophoresis drug-delivery systems (wireless patch versus wired dose controller) and a sham treatment in treating patellar tendinopathy. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: Physical therapy clinic. Patients or Other Participants: Thirty-one participants diagnosed with patellar tendinopathy (men = 22, women = 9, age = 24.5 ± 5.9 years). Intervention(s): Participants were randomly assigned into 1 of 3 treatment groups: wireless patch, wired dose controller, or sham treatment. Participants in the active treatment groups received six 80 mA/min iontophoresis treatments using 2 mL of 4% dexamethasone sodium phosphate. During each visit, clinical outcome measures were assessed and then the assigned treatment was applied. Main Outcome Measure(s): Clinical outcome measures were Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Sc...
Compactness theorems for SL(2;C) generalizations of the 4-dimensional anti-self dual equations, Part I

Uhlenbeck's compactness theorem can be used to analyze sequences of connections with anti-self dual curvature on principal SU(2) bundles over oriented 4-dimensional manifolds. The theorems in this paper give an extension of Uhlenbeck's theorem for sequences of solutions of certain SL(2,C) analogs of the anti-self dual equations.
A value-based software process framework

This paper presents a value-based software process framework that has been derived from the 4+1 theory of value-based software engineering (VBSE). The value-based process framework integrates the four component theories – dependency, utility, decision, and control, to the central theory W, and orients itself as a 7-step process guide to practice value-based software engineering. We also illustrate applying the process framework to a supply chain organization through a case study analysis.
Government saving and private saving in Brazil

This paper discusses the effectiveness of govemment's attempts to raise national and private savings by increasing the saving of the public sector. Using the Brazilian economy as a case study, the paper shows that the successfulness of such policies depend on the degree of foresight of private agents. Theory suggests that different outcomes are possible. Two types of econometric exercises are performed to offer evidence on the res­ ponsiveness ofnational saving to reductions in the government's current account deficit. The flfSt one uses a standard nested consumption function approach that attempts to discriminate among different theories on the basis of the estimated coefficients. The second test uses cointegration techniques to test for Ricardian Equivalence. The empirical results obtai­ ned in both sets of tests reject Ricardian Equivalence, implying that an increase in govemment savings is a powerful way to increase national savings. Moreover, the results obtained in the consumption function approach indicate that reductions in government spending translate in larger increases in national savings than increases in net tax revenues. 1. Introduction; 2. Theoretical considerations; 3. Econometric modelling; 4. Conclusion.
The anus as a second mouth: anal suspension feeding by an oral deposit-feeding sea cucumber

Respiratory trees of holothurians are blind-ended evaginations of the posterior digestive system that are rhythmically inflated with seawater via the anus, and are considered to have respiratory and excretory functions. We tested the assimilatory capability of the respiratory tree epithelium by exposing adults of the oral deposit-feeding aspidochirotid sea cucumber Parastichopus californicus to (1) 14C-labeled unicellular algae and (2) iron-containing macromolecules, and then following the distribution of the labels in various body regions. The abundance of the 14C (nmol 14C g wet weight−1) varied among body regions. The majority of the label was associated with the respiratory trees. The next greatest concentration was in the rete mirabile of the hemal system. The amount of 14C within samples of the anterior digestive system, posterior digestive system, and body wall muscle at each sampling time was lower than that of the respiratory trees. The presence and abundance of the 14C label in samples of the hemal system and the physical association between the respiratory tree and the rete mirabile suggest initial uptake by the respiratory tree and subsequent transfer to the hemal system. The iron label from the protein ferritin and the polysaccharide iron dextran entered cells of the respiratory tree luminal epithelium. The presence of the iron label in mesenchyme cells within the connective tissue compartment of the respiratory trees exposed to ferritin further suggests directional transfer of materials. Holothurians with respiratory trees are nutritionally bipolar; the anus serves as a second mouth.
Primary Children's Ratings of the Stressfulness of Experiences

Abstract To establish a better linkage between the results of earlier studies on upper elementary through junior high students' ratings of the stressfulness of experiences and those of primary children, responses were obtained to the same life events from 270 first graders, 108 third graders and 170 sixth graders. Across 20 life events, the ranks based upon the respective scale values (medians) of stressfulness ratings correlated .94 (1st–3rd), .81 (1st–6th), and .89 (3rd–6th). The scale values themselves correlated .95 between the first and third graders, while those of the sixth graders correlated above .97 with two other groups (4th through 6th) of previously studied American children. When the mean ratings were converted to the same standardized scale for comparison, they correlated .90 (1st–3rd), .89 (1st–6th), and .93 (3rd–6th). Meanwhile, the reported incidences of experience correlated .91 (1st–3rd), .79 (1st–6th), and .89 (3rd–6th). Thus, the overall similarity was clear in children's views regar...
Bursicon release and activity in haemolymph during metamorphosis of the cockroach, Leucophaea maderae

Abstract Bursicon activity first appears in the haemolymph of the cockroach, Leucophaea maderae , early in ecdysis as the old cuticle splits and separates over the thorax. Hormonal activity reaches high levels in the haemolymph before ecdysis is complete and remains so for about 1·5 hr, with a gradual decline and disappearance by 3 hr. The sensory mechanism controlling bursicon release is located in the thorax and appears to be stimulated as the ecdysial split widens for emergence of the thorax. If the abdomen is isolated before this time no tanning of abdominal cuticle occurs, while the isolated thorax proceeds to tan. Therefore the thoracic ganglia seem to be a site of release for bursicon. Release of the hormone from abdominal and head ganglia may also occur after neural stimulation from the thoracic system. Bursicon activity was found in all ganglia of the central nervous system and the corpora cardiaca-allata complex. Removal of the old cuticle prior to the start of ecdysial behaviour does not result in tanning of the new cuticle. However, if the old cuticle is removed after the insect begins to swallow air in preparation for ecdysis, then the new cuticle tans. Mechanical prevention of ecdysis and later removal of the old cuticle also does not result in tanning of the new cuticle. Therefore, shedding of the old cuticle only activates the release of bursicon in conjunction with other normal ecdysial events.
Fano profiles resulting from the interferences between internal conversion K-shell electrons and K-shell delta electrons

Abstract The internal conversion of excited nuclear states is a non-radiative form of decay which couples excited nuclear and inner-shell states. The emitted conversion electron represents a discrete state which in principle should interact with the smoothly varying background of the K-shell delta electrons. This situation could be observed when both types of ionized electron states are produced by charged-particle bombardment.
Applying predication to efficiently handle runtime class testing

Runtime class testing is a technique whereby virtual function calls are transformed into statically-bound function calls through a series of conditional branches. Through this transformation, the overhead of virtual function calls can be significantly reduced. However, the drawback of these tests is that by relying on conditional branches, the amount of instruction-level parallelism (ILP) is limited and the mispredict penalties can be relatively high. We show that by using predication during class testing, these drawbacks can be eliminated, and the benefits of class testing can be improved upon. Predication is a supported feature in Explicitly Parallel Instruction Computing (EPIC) architecture, which converts control dependencies into data dependencies, and thus eliminates the mispredict penalties. With analytical cost models and experimental results, we show that predicated class testing can reduce the direct cost of virtual function calls by 43% on an average, which in contrast to other class testing techniques, is a performance improvement of up to 31% per function call. These results are based on architectural specifications that most modern architectures will exceed, and are considered conservative. The actual speedups resulting from predicated class testing are expected to be higher
SH3BP2 is rarely mutated in exon 9 in giant cell lesions outside cherubism

Giant cell tumor of bone and giant cell reparative granuloma are benign lesions with prominent giant (multinucleated) cells, and an understanding of the molecular biology and genetics of these lesions will likely aid in more effective treatment. Cherubism is a benign lesion of the maxilla and mandible histologically similar to giant cell tumor of bone and giant cell reparative granuloma. Germline mutations in exon 9 of the gene encoding Src homology 3 binding protein 2 (SH3BP2) occur in most patients with cherubism. We therefore hypothesized SH3BP2 and its putative downstream effector nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 isoform (NFATc1) are highly expressed in sporadic nonsyndromic giant cell lesions and associated with somatic SH3BP2 mutations. We analyzed giant cell lesions for SH3BP2 and NFATc1 expression by RNA blot and/or immunohistochemistry and for exon 9 SH3BP2 mutations. We found the SH3BP2 transcripts and protein were abundantly expressed in giant cell tumors of bone, as well as NFATc1 protein. Sequencing of exon 9 of SH3BP2 was normal in all sporadic nonsyndromic giant cell lesions. Although many multinucleated giant cell lesions of bone share histologic features, the primary genetic defect in cherubism and these other giant cell lesions appears different.
Single-disk and double-disk viscous micropumps

Abstract The development and testing of two versions of a novel micropump are described: (i) the single-disk viscous pump and (ii) the double-disk viscous pump. The rotational movement of the disk(s) induces viscous stresses on the fluid that forces the fluid from an inlet channel, and then, through the pumping volume above the single disk, or between the two disks. A wiper acts to “wipe” the fluid from the disk(s) toward the outlet channel. The fluid flow through the double-disk pump is visualized using a red Rhodamine dye that is injected into the fluid passage upstream of the pumping volume. These visualizations provide information on the relative importance of viscous forces, centrifugal forces, and static pressure variations. The maximum flow rates and pressure rises are 1.0 ml/min, 643 Pa, and 2.1 ml/min 1.19 kPa for the single-disk and double-disk pumps, respectively, for a rotational speed of 5000 rpm, a disk diameter of 2.38 mm, and a gap height of 103 μm, and supplied power to the motor of 7 W. The disk pumps are fabricated using precision machining techniques employed on a lathe and milling machine. Advantages of the viscous disk pumps include: simplicity of design, planar structure, continuous flow, well controlled flow rate, and, if desired, the ability to augment mixing in the fluid.
Digital filtering for machine tool structural dynamic analysis by the dynamic data system (DDS)

Abstract The Dynamic Data System (DDS) methodology has been successfully used for machine tool structural analysis. In this paper, the digital filtering technique is proposed to reduce the adequate order of the Autoregressive Moving Average Vector (ARMAV) moel to overcome the difficulty in higher order modeling. Problems in digital filtering for the ARMAV model are analyzed, including: (1) the selection of an appropriate filter, (2) the elimination of phase distortion, (3) the methods of transformation from an analog filter to discrete filter, and (4) the choice of sampling interval. Two examples are illustrated using the digital filtering technique for identifying the modal and structural parameters of the system.
IS: An intelligent scheduler for batch manufacturing systems

Abstract This paper describes the design and development of IS (for Intelligent Scheduler), a true multiple criteria knowledge-based scheduler which can be used for operational level scheduling of batch manufacturing systems, sometimes called job shops. IS incorporates a heuristic algorithm coupled with two knowledge bases, one for job scheduling and the other for selecting a suitable schedule based on the user provided criterion or criteria. With fourteen dispatching rules, it can generate both static and dynamic schedules. IS is a far more realistic and sophisticated model, accounting for many important factors, such as multiple machines, multiple fixtures, multiple tools, alternate processing routes, machine setup time, machine processing time, due date, job arrival time, initial shop loading, hot jobs, and considering either one criterion or multiple criteria simultaneously. In addition, IS coded in C and has all the features of a modern professional quality interactive program. It has moving bar and pull down menus and an on-line help function, a friendly human-computer interface, and an intuitive and easy to understand representation of the schedules.
Endoscopic variceal ligation in patients who have failed endoscopic sclerotherapy

Endoscopic variceal ligation has been developed as an alternative to endoscopic sclerotherapy. We report a series of 12 men with a history of bleeding esophageal varices who were treated with endoscopic variceal ligation after they had failed sclerotherapy. Hemostasis was achieved in all 10 patients who were bleeding at the time of initial endoscopy and again in those who subsequently re-bled. Over a follow-up period of up to 22 months, varices have been and remain eradicated in five patients; in four others, a reduction in grade was noted before death (two patients), liver transplant, or loss to follow-up (one patient each); two patients died before they could be re-evaluated, while in the remaining patient, no reduction in variceal grade was noted before loss to follow-up. No complication was recorded after 35 endoscopic treatment sessions involving a total of 245 rubber band ligations. Our results indicate that endoscopic variceal ligation may be used with success in patients who fail sclerotherapy.
Synthesis of nanometer scale oxide-based titania films by a two-dimensional sol-gel process at the air-liquid interface

Abstract The present study focuses upon the synthesis of nanometer scale oxide-based titania films from tetrabutoxy titanium according to a two-dimensional sol–gel process at the air–liquid interface. First, surface pressure–area isotherms of the tetrabutoxy titanium were measured at 22.0±0.5°C on various subphases: pure water (pH=5.5), aqueous acetylacetone (0.01 M, pH=4,6), aqueous acetic acid (0.01 M, pH=3.3) and glycerol. At the same time, UV–vis absorption spectra were directly recorded at the interface at variable surface pressures. Brewster angle microscopy served to observe the film topology on the different subphases. The results are interpreted in terms of the formation of a macroscopic network interconnecting the titania atoms. On the aqueous acetic acid and the glycerol subphases, the film showed to be more complex and stronger interconnected, i.e. involving two networks made of oxide and ligand bridges. In the case of the aqueous acetylacetone subphase, the resulting coating appears much less interconnected.
Simulating Multivariate Nonnormal Data Using an Iterative Algorithm

Simulating multivariate nonnormal data with specified correlation matrices is difficult. One especially popular method is Vale and Maurelli's (1983) extension of Fleishman's (1978) polynomial transformation technique to multivariate applications. This requires the specification of distributional moments and the calculation of an intermediate correlation matrix such that when data are transformed, the target correlation matrix is reproduced. We present an alternative technique that involves sampling data from specified population distributions and identifying the intermediate correlation matrix through an iterative, trial-and-error process. We provide R program code to implement this technique and show that it can generate data under a wide range of conditions (e.g., with empirical samples, with discrete rather than continuous data, when distributional moments are undefined or outside the boundary conditions of other techniques). This approach could be useful in many contexts, especially Monte Carlo studies of multivariate statistics.
Selling Style: Clothing and Social Change at the Turn of the Century

Selling Style: Clothing and Social Change at the Turn of the Century Rob Schorman. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2003. In Selling Style, Rob Schorman examines the intersection of gender, mass media, and consumer culture at the turn of the twentieth century. Schorman reveals the importance of clothing and images of clothing in creating and maintaining social norms, especially expectations of sex role differentiation. The focus of the book is the 189Os, a "restless time" "when there was the sharpest contrast in the manner in which men's and women's clothing was produced; American men wore ready-made clothing, "while "women still wore custom-made clothing. Schorman poses several questions: What accounts for this contrast? What connection do clothing and the making of clothes have to broader cultural issues such as gender? In answering these questions, he contrasts the development of the men's ready-towear industry with the custom-made traditions of women's "wear and examines the cultural meanings associated with each. He analyzes the impact of social Darwinism in supporting notions of sex differentiation and the ways in which dress became symbols of masculinity, citizenship, and femininity, as well as the influence of advertising in helping shape these cultural categories. Schorman observes that during the 189Os, many Americans linked fashion to individual identity and social power, ideas that resonated in the social presentation of the self. It was believed that inner truths could be determined by appearance -that is, outward garb was an indication of the inward personality. Dress also denoted class and citizenship, but most important, clothing served to symbolize and maintain gender role distinctions. It "was through consumer goods, especially clothing, that people constructed their identities. Men's clothing, especially the sack suit, evoked notions of a new masculinity and modernity. According to Schorman, ready-made suits were testament to American industrial prowess and democratic freedom. Unlike the frock coat, cutaway, or tailcoat, there was nothing frivolous about the aesthetic of the sack coat. It was square and solid. Ready-mades became popular, not only because they were inexpensive, but because they also offered a decent fit and eventually gained respectability. The manufacturers, clothiers, and retailers drew on advertising to make favorable comparisons to custom clothing. Schorman notes, however, that the attributes of custom clothing became linked to women's identity, character, and gender role. …
Relative Wages and Exit Behavior Among Registered Nurses

I examine the exit decision of registered nurses using the longitudinal data files generated by the March Current Population Surveys (CPS) from 1983 through 1994. By examining the wages of workers outside of nursing, a measure of the reservation wage is constructed and related to the decision to leave nursing, either for an alternative job or to exit employment. My results indicate that nurses respond to outside wage opportunities. A one standard deviation decrease in the difference between the actual and predicted log wage results in an 8 percent increase in the exit of nurses. Secretaries, however, are shown to have a much greater sensitivity to outside wages due to the lower degree of occupation-specific training required for secretarial jobs. A similar increase in the wage gap for secretaries results in an 18 percent increase in turnover. RNs employed in hospitals, covered by a union contract, and employed in the public sector are relatively attached to the nursing profession.
Adaptation of influenza virus to growth in cultured murine methylcholanthrene induced tumors.

Primary fibrosarcomas induced by methylcholanthrene in inbred and inbredcongenic mice were explanted and established in long-term, high density monolayer cultures which were characterized with regard to tumorigenicity and immunogenicity. Following a period of adaptation, influenza virus (strain WSN) could be grown to high titers in most but not all lines, with the resultant destruction of tumor monolayers. Vesicular stomatitis virus and encephalomyocarditis virus grew in all tumor lines tested without adaptation. The immunogenicity of one line of cultured tumor cells was strikingly enhanced in syngeneic mice following infection of the cells by influenza virus.
Screening co-digestion of food waste water with manure for biogas production.

Anaerobic digestion, an environmental protection technology for treating organic compounds in waste water, produces biogas, resulting in a renewable energy source. A protocol including waste analysis, waste blending, energy potential and energy balance calculations was developed to determine the energy production from blending food and animal wastes. Fruit and vegetable waste water produced from crop commodity processing was characterized in terms of quantity and 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Often these wastes have high levels of degradable carbon but lack buffering capacity and adequate nitrogen and other nutrients to meet the minimal C/N ratio needed for optimal digestion. Blending food-processing waste water with high nutrient manure can enhance the biogas production by optimizing nutrient levels and providing buffering capacity. The protocol shows the procedure to determine the optimal blend and theoretical biogas production from the anaerobic digestion of that blend. An energy balance technique that determines the lowest COD concentration required to close the energy balance in the digester during different seasons is illustrated. A case study was conducted to determine the potential energy production from anaerobically digesting blended waste water from the top 14 fruit and vegetable commodities in Michigan. The resulting biogas production supports a substantial amount of the energy consumption needed for the treatment process. This case study in Michigan can be extended to national level since the calculations were based on the mean value of their typical range. © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Reaction kinetics and reactor modeling of the plasma etching of silicon

A model including the effects of diffusion and convection can be used to predict the etch rate of crystalline silicon in a plasma discharge of nitrogen trifluoride. The case of a radial flow reactor with crystalline silicon wafers located at discrete positions can be solved using a finite-element solution to a boundary value problem. Such a model is useful to predict the effects of pressure, flow rate of etchant gas, percent silicon exposed, and wafer position on both inter-and intrawafer etch rates. It was found from modeling that greater uniformity in etch rate is achieved by lowering the pressure and percent exposure of silicon, and to a lesser degree the volumetric flow rate.
Medium pH modulates matrix, mineral, and energy metabolism in cultured chick bones and osteoblast-like cells

The effects of medium pH were tested on calvariae, tibiae, and osteoblast-like cells from chick embryos. Bones and isolated cells were incubated for 5 h or 2 days in Hepes-buffered medium at pH values ranging from 6.8 to 8.2. Osteoblast function was evaluated by lactate production, oxygen consumption, alkaline phosphatase activity (AlPase), Ca and inorganic phosphate (Pi) flux, proline hydroxylation, DNA content, and thymidine incorporation. As medium pH was increased, glycolysis, collagen synthesis, and AlPase increased, while Ca efflux decreased. No effect of pH was seen on mitochondrial activity, Pi efflux, or cell number or proliferation. The importance of glycolysis as an endogenous pH regulator was demonstrated by inhibition with iodoacetic acid or glucose restriction and by adding lactate to the medium. The results suggest that the pH of bone interstitial fluid may be regulated by glycolysis and that changes in pH of this compartment may have marked effects on osteoblast function.
Validation of Hepascore, Compared With Simple Indices of Fibrosis, in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection in United States

Background & Aims Biomarkers are being developed as alternatives to liver biopsy for predicting liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Hepascore uses noninvasive serum markers and has been validated in Australian and European populations for predicting different degrees of fibrosis. This study validated this test in a U.S. population. Methods Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection were assigned to training (n = 203) or validation (n = 188) sets. Liver fibrosis was staged according to the METAVIR scoring system. The Hepascore algorithm uses data on age, sex, as well as total bilirubin, γ-glutamyl transferase, α2-macroglobulin, and hyaluronic acid levels. Results The ability of Hepascore to predict significant fibrosis (F2–4) as determined by the area under the receiver operating curve was similar in training (0.83) and validation sets (0.81) and was comparable to results seen in previous studies. A cutoff score of ≥0.55 was best for predicting significant fibrosis, with a sensitivity and specificity of 82% and 65% and positive and negative predictive values of 70% and 78%. When compared with 2 simple indices, FIB-4 (age, platelets, AST, and ALT) and APRI (AST/platelet ratio index), Hepascore performed better at excluding advanced fibrosis by using a low cutoff score but worse at predicting fibrosis by using a high cutoff score. An algorithm with Hepascore followed by FIB-4 or APRI spared 103 of 391 individuals a liver biopsy and missed advanced fibrosis in only 1 patient. Conclusions Hepascore accurately predicted likelihood of developing fibrosis and could alleviate the need for liver biopsy in a subset of patients.
Positive Species Interactions as Drivers of Vegetation Change on a Barrier Island

ABSTRACT Monge, J.A. and Gornish, E.S., 2015. Positive species interactions as drivers of vegetation change on a barrier island. Positive species interactions have been shown to occur in a variety of plant systems, and the importance of these interactions is expected to vary with resource availability and abiotic stress. The processes by which these types of relationships operate and influence plant communities in coastal environments, however, are not fully understood. Positive species interactions were observed in areas of St. George Island, Florida, shortly after transplanting dune species for a restoration experiment designed to encourage the growth of foredune, interdune, and backdune vegetation. The dune habitats in St. George are subject to abiotic stresses that vary in type and magnitude, and the environmental factors responsible for ameliorating these conditions and encouraging positive vegetation change operate differently across these areas. We (1) investigated if transplants encouraged positiv...
The Applicability of Accent Generalizations

This study proposed to determine the proportion of 10,896 multisyllabic words which complied with or were exceptions to seventeen accent generalizations. Eight clues were found to be applicable to three per cent or more of the words, but two of these clues had a relatively high per cent of exceptions.
Decomposition of wheat straw infested by Cephalosporium gramineum

Abstract The rate of decomposition of straw of winter wheat parasitically infected by Cephalosporium gramineum Nisikado & Ikata and buried in soil was not significantly affected by soil N or P concentrations or by the virulence or antibiotic-producing ability of the fungus. The genotype of the host appeared to have only a small effect on the rate of decomposition of infested straw when compared to healthy control straw. Soil pH did not greatly affect either the rate of straw decomposition or the recovery of C. gramineum from naturally-infested buried straw. Although C. gramineum produces a low pH ( in vitro , it is doubtful that under natural field conditions that this antibiotic plays an important role in decreasing the decomposition rate of infested straw brought about by saprophytic microorganisms. The survival of C. gramineum in straw, therefore, appears to be governed by factors unrelated to the host-pathogen interaction.
Bcl-2-deficient mice demonstrate fulminant lymphoid apoptosis, polycystic kidneys, and hypopigmented hair

bcl-2-/-mice complete embryonic development, but display growth retardation and early mortality postnatally. Hematopoiesis including lymphocyte differentiation is initially normal, but thymus and spleen undergo massive apoptotic involution. Thymocytes require an apoptotic signal to manifest accelerated cell death. Renal failure results from severe polycystic kidney disease characterized by dilated proximal and distal tubular segments and hyperproliferation of epithelium and interstitium. bcl-2-/-mice turn gray with the second hair follicle cycle, implicating a defect in redox-regulated melanin synthesis. The abnormalities in these loss of function mice argue that Bcl-2 is a death repressor molecule functioning in an antioxidant pathway.
A functional chimeric modular polyketide synthase generated via domain replacement

Background: Modular polyketide synthases (PKSs), such as 6-deoxyerythronolide B synthase (DEBS), are large multifunctional enzymes that catalyze the biosynthesis of structurally complex and medically important natural products. Active sites within these assemblies are organized into ‘modules', such that each module catalyzes the stereospecific addition of a new monomer onto a growing polyketide chain and also sets the reduction level of the β-carbon atom of the resulting intermediate. The core of each module is made up of a ‘reductive segment', which includes all, some, or none of a set of ketoreductase (KR), dehydratase, and enoylreductase domains, in addition to a large interdomain region which lacks overt function but may contribute to structural stability and inter-domain dynamics within modules. The highly conserved organization of reductive segments within modules suggests that they might be able to function in unnatural contexts to generate novel organic molecules. Results: To investigate domain substitution as a method for altering PKS function, a chimeric enzyme was engineered. Using a bimodular derivative of DEBS (DEBS1+TE), the reductive segment of module 2, which includes a functional KR, was replaced with its homolog from module 3 of DEBS, which contains a (naturally occurring) nonfunctional KR. A recombinant strain expressing the chimeric gene produced the predicted ketolactone with a yield (35%) comparable to that of a control strain in which the KR2 domain was retained but mutationally inactivated. Conclusions: These results demonstrate considerable structural tolerance within an important segment found in virtually every PKS module. The domain boundaries defined here could be exploited for the construction of numerous loss-of-function and possibly even gain-of-function mutants within this remarkable family of multifunctional enzymes.