cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of anesthesia on evoked auditory responses in pediatric auditory brainstem implant surgery

Objective Electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses (EABR) guide placement of the multichannel auditory brainstem implant (ABI) array during surgery. EABRs are also recorded under anesthesia in nontumor pediatric ABI recipients prior to device activation to confirm placement and guide device programming. We examine the influence of anesthesia on evoked response morphology in pediatric ABI users by comparing intraoperative with postoperative EABR recordings. Study design Retrospective review. Methods Seven children underwent ABI surgery by way of retrosigmoid craniotomy. General anesthesia included inhaled sevoflurane induction and propofol maintenance during which EABRs were recorded to confirm accurate positioning of the ABI. A mean of 7.7 ± 2.8 weeks following surgery, the ABI was activated under general anesthesia or sedation (dexmedetomidine) and EABR recordings were made. A qualitative analysis of intraoperative and postoperative waveform morphology was performed. Results Seven subjects (mean age 20.6 months) underwent nine ABI surgeries (seven primary, two revisions) and nine activations. EABRs were observed in eight of nine postoperative recordings. In three cases, intraoperative EABRs during general anesthesia were similar to postoperative EABRs with sedation. In one case, sevoflurane and propofol were used for intra- and postoperative recordings, and waveforms were also similar. In four cases, amplitude and latency changes were observed for intraoperative versus postoperative EABRs. Conclusion Similarity of EABR morphology in the anesthetized versus sedated condition suggests that anesthesia does not have a large effect on far-field evoked potentials. Changes in EABR waveform morphology observed postoperatively may be influenced by other factors such as movements of the surface array. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 130:507-513, 2020.
Uniform Pricing in U.S. Retail Chains

We show that most US food, drugstore, and mass merchandise chains charge nearly-uniform prices across stores, despite wide variation in consumer demographics and competition. Demand estimates reveal substantial within-chain variation in price elasticities and suggest that the median chain sacrifices $16m of annual profit relative to a benchmark of optimal prices. In contrast, differences in average prices between chains are broadly consistent with the optimal benchmark. We discuss a range of explanations for nearly-uniform pricing, highlighting managerial inertia and brand-image concerns as mechanisms frequently mentioned by industry participants. Relative to our optimal benchmark, uniform pricing may significantly increase the prices paid by poorer households relative to the rich, dampen the response of prices to local economic shocks, alter the analysis of mergers in antitrust, and shift the incidence of intra-national trade costs.
DNA Nunchucks: Nanoinstrumentation for Single-Molecule Measurement of Stiffness and Bending

Bending of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) has important applications in biology and engineering, but measurement of DNA bend angles is notoriously difficult and rarely dynamic. Here we introduce a nanoscale instrument that makes dynamic measurement of the bend in short dsDNAs easy enough to be routine. The instrument works by embedding the ends of a dsDNA in stiff, fluorescently labeled DNA nanotubes, thereby mechanically magnifying their orientations. The DNA nanotubes are readily confined to a plane and imaged while freely diffusing. Single-molecule bend angles are rapidly and reliably extracted from the images by a neural network. We find that angular variance across a population increases with dsDNA length, as predicted by the worm-like chain model, although individual distributions can differ significantly from one another. For dsDNAs with phased A6-tracts, we measure an intrinsic bend of 17 ± 1° per A6-tract, consistent with other methods, and a length-dependent angular variance that indicates A6-tracts are (80 ± 30)% stiffer than generic dsDNA.
Herbicide Levels in Nursery Containment Pond Water and Sediments

Abstract Herbicide movement from broadcast granular applications via runoff waters into containment ponds was monitored over a two-year period. The nursery site was approximately 20 ha (50 A) and c...
Anomalous moral intuitions in juvenile offenders with psychopathic traits

Abstract Since the historical conception of psychopathy, researchers have been interested in understanding moral functioning among psychopathic individuals. The present study investigated the association between psychopathic traits and moral intuitions among incarcerated juvenile offenders (N = 178). Participants were assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist:Youth Version (Forth, Kosson, & Hare, 2003) and the Moral Foundations Questionnaire (Graham et al., 2011), which defines five core moral foundations: Harm/care, Fairness/reciprocity, Ingroup/loyalty, Authority/respect, and Purity/sanctity. As expected, psychopathy in juvenile offenders negatively predicted endorsement of all five foundations. This study is the first to demonstrate broad abnormalities in Haidt et al.’s moral foundations in a juvenile sample and can help explain delinquent behavior in juveniles with psychopathic traits. Implications for theories of psychopathy are discussed.
Topical Therapies for Psoriasis in Phase 3 Trials

This review will discuss new topical therapeutics for psoriasis that have undergone or published phase III trials in the last 5 years, as well as promising therapeutics in development. New corticosteroid-only additions to the marketplace include formulations that improve absorption and ease-of-use, including betamethasone dipropionate (BD) 0.05% spray, halobetasol propionate (HP) 0.05% foam and 0.01% lotion, and clobetasol propionate 0.025% cream. Combination therapies include BD 0.064% plus calcipotriene 0.005% (Cal/BD) foam, Cal/BD cream, and HP 0.01% plus tazarotene 0.045% lotion. New treatments are on the horizon, with trials nearing completion for topical phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors and tapinarof, and trials being planned for turmeric, rose bengal disodium, JAK-inhibitors, and pegcantratinib. New therapeutic modalities can improve patient satisfaction and adherence, provide better control of disease, and improve quality of life. Thoughtful selection of the appropriate therapy from this growing arsenal will help improve patient care.
Paradoxical Increase of 24-Hour Urinary Aldosterone Levels in Obese Patients With Resistant Hypertension on a High Salt Diet.

BACKGROUND Having previously reported that aldosterone levels increase progressively with body mass index (BMI), the current analysis was done to determine to what extent this association is related to dietary high salt intake. We anticipated that aldosterone levels would decrease with higher sodium status consistent with classical suppression of aldosterone release secondary to progressive fluid retention induced by high dietary sodium intake. METHODS Cross-sectional analysis of a large diverse cohort of 2,705 patients with resistant hypertension (HTN) seen in a referral HTN Clinic. Dietary sodium intake was indexed by 24-hour (h) urinary sodium (UNa), aldosterone status was determined by plasma aldosterone concentration, plasma renin activity, and 24 h urinary aldosterone (UAldo). Patients with normal weight served as control. RESULTS In this study, 1,572 individuals with complete 24 h urine collections were analyzed. Mean BMI was 32.5 ± 7.1 kg/m2 and ranged from 24.6 ± 2.4 kg/m2 (first quartile) to 41.0 ± 4.2 kg/m2 (fourth quartile). BMI was positively associated with 24 h UNa and UAldo levels (P < 0.0001), 24 h UNa and UAldo. There was a positively stronger correlation in obese (r = 0.273, P < 0.0001) compared with normal weight individuals (r = 0.108, P = 0.0342) independent of number and classes of antihypertensive medications. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis shows that there is an altered regulation of aldosterone in obese patients in the setting of high dietary salt intake.
Ibuprofen Use Did Not Affect Outcome Metrics After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

Purpose To determine whether patients who are prescribed ibuprofen after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair have significantly different patient-reported outcomes for pain, function, and overall health at baseline and 1 and 2 years after operation relative to patients only prescribed opioids. Methods Patients who underwent a rotator cuff repair by a total of 3 surgeons and participated in the outcomes registry from 2012 to 2016 were screened for inclusion in this study. Inclusion criteria were primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, at least 2 years from the date of surgery and over the age of 18. Exclusion criteria were revision and open rotator cuff repair. All patients followed the standard postoperative rehabilitation protocol for rotator cuff repair. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts. Group I included patients who received ibuprofen/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAID) after surgery (n = 281), and Group II consisted of patients who did not receive ibuprofen/NSAID after surgery (n = 182). Patient-reported outcome measures for Visual Analogue Scale, American Shoulder Elbow Surgeons score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, Simple Shoulder Test and The Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey were collected preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed to compare patient-reported outcome measures between Group I and II. Results This study consisted of 463 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, and patients were divided into 2 cohorts. There were 281 patients who did not receive ibuprofen/NSAID after operation in Group I and 182 patients who did receive ibuprofen in Group II. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in age at treatment, mean body mass index, gender, ethnicity, diabetes, and number of rotator cuff tendons involved; however, there was a statistically significant difference in receiving worker’s compensation (P = .005), and this was subsequently adjusted for in our analysis. There were no significant differences in patient-reported outcomes for all metrics between the group prescribed ibuprofen and the group that was not prescribed ibuprofen at 1 and 2 years after surgery or in change from baseline. Conclusion Patients receiving ibuprofen did as well as patients who did not receive ibuprofen after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on patient-reported outcome measures assessing shoulder pain, function, and overall health. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Intraoperative FLIm for pathology detection and surgical guidance in oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients

Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers are leading pathologies, representing 3% of all new cancer cases in the United States. Adequate intraoperative marginal clearance of these malignancies is essential for long-term survival; however, presently available techniques limit precise instantaneous tumor margin characterization. Herein, we report the clinical validation of a fiber-based fluorescence lifetime imaging device for real-time intraoperative tumor delineation. Results from 72 human patients are reported (autofluorescence trends, ROC-AUC), including diverse cancer histologies, anatomic sites (e.g. tongue, tonsil, etc.), and patient medical histories. Emphasis is placed on results governing the detection of unknown primary tumors from 4 patients, as well as data from 5 patients presenting with residual carcinoma.
Oxytocin and the microbiome

Abstract The equilibrium between host animals and their microbiota has been convincingly linked with overall host health. Numerous reports describe beneficial effects of probiotic microbiota on the health of humans and other species extending to improved immune functions, wound repair capacity, metabolism, and psychiatry. Among candidate unifying host effector molecules is oxytocin, a neuropeptide hormone related to sociability and a sense of physical and mental well-being. It has been shown in mouse models that endogenous oxytocin levels are upregulated after consuming the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri derived from human breast milk, with interesting evolutionary implications. Using heirloom microbiota such as L. reuteri to naturally upregulate host endogenous oxytocin levels potentially overcomes the known therapeutic challenges of oxytocin's short half-life and obscure brain targets.
COVID-19 exacerbates existing system factors that disadvantage defendants: Findings from a national survey of defense attorneys.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 has impacted many facets of daily life and the legal system is no exception. Legal scholars have hypothesized that the effects of the pandemic may contribute to more coercive plea bargains (Cannon, 2020; Johnson, 2020). In this study, we explored defense attorneys' perceptions of whether and how the plea process has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. HYPOTHESES: This study was exploratory, and we made no a priori hypotheses. METHOD: We surveyed 93 practicing United States defense attorneys about their perceptions of whether and how the pandemic has affected court procedures, plea-bargaining and prosecutorial behavior, and defendant decision-making. We conducted semistructured follow-up interviews with 13 defense attorneys to help contextualize the survey responses. RESULTS: The majority of defense attorneys (81%, n = 76) reported that the plea process had changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that they experienced difficulty contacting and communicating with their clients, especially those who were detained. Two thirds of defense attorneys (n = 42) who said the plea process had changed thought that prosecutors were offering more lenient deals. One third of defense attorneys with detained clients (n = 23) reported having had clients plead guilty due to COVID-19 related conditions who might not have under normal circumstances. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of defense attorneys reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their ability to access and advise clients, and they believed that leverage in plea negotiations had shifted further to individual prosecutors. At the same time, the attorneys reported that prosecutors were offering more lenient deals, painting a complex picture of the plea negotiation process during the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Ocean margins as a significant source of organic matter to the deep open ocean

Continental shelves and slopes comprise less than 20% of the world ocean area, yet they are proposed to be quantitatively important sources of the organic matter that fuels respiration in the open ocean's interior1,2. At least certain regions of the coastal ocean produce more organic carbon than they respire3, suggesting that some fraction of this non-respired, unburied organic carbon is available for export from the coastal to the open ocean4. Previous studies of carbon fluxes in ocean margins1,5,6 have not considered the potential roles of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and suspended particulate organic carbon (POCsusp), even though both pools are quantitatively far larger than sinking POC. Here we report natural radiocarbon (14C) abundance measurements that reveal continental slope and rise waters to contain both DOC and POCsusp that are concurrently older and in higher concentrations than DOC and POCsusp from the adjacent North Atlantic and North Pacific central gyres. Mass-balance calculations suggest that DOC and POCsusp inputs from ocean margins to the open ocean interior may be more than an order of magnitude greater than inputs of recently produced organic carbon derived from the surface ocean. Inputs from ocean margins may thus be one of the factors contributing to the old apparent age of organic carbon observed in the deep North Atlantic and Pacific central gyres7,8,9.
Le programme technologique comme moyen de définir une nouvelle génération de bibliothèques

Un projet de construction ou de renovation majeure d’une bibliotheque implique la preparation d’un programme fonctionnel et technique portant sur l’ensemble des besoins des usagers. Pour reellement rendre compte du role du numerique, la conception et le developpement d’un programme technologique s’averent une demarche a entreprendre pour contribuer a definir une nouvelle generation de bibliotheques. Desormais, le developpement de l’offre technologique dans l’espace bâti des bibliotheques devient de plus en plus une priorite. Les enjeux se posent en termes de coherence du programme, de formation des equipes des bibliotheques et des usagers, et de budget pour le renouvellement et l’entretien des equipements.
Chapter 16. Development of Anti-Malarial Inhibitors of Hemoglobinases

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses development of antimalarial inhibitors of hemoglobinases. Malaria is the fourth largest infectious disease in the world, behind diarrhoeal diseases, tuberculosis, and measles. Caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, the disease is transmitted to the human host by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. There are estimated to be between 300 to 500 million clinical cases of malaria per year, with an estimated mortality of 1.5 to 2.7 million per year. The majority of these deaths are in children under the age of five. There are several factors which have caused increased concern regarding the transmission and spread of malaria. One factor is the rapid and unprecedented movement of naive human populations into endemic areas. Global warming has the potential for both disrupting current patterns of transmission of malaria and in potentially expanding the range of the Anopheles mosquito. The driving force for concern, however, is the increasing resistance to current antimalarial chemotherapy. The chapter focuses on recent advances in the development of protease inhibitors as potential therapeutics for the treatment of malaria. Biology of hemoglobin degradation is elaborated and combinatorial library synthesis for inhibitors of plasmepsins is also explained.
The Chemistry of Berkelium

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the chemistry of berkelium. Berkelium may be purified by many methods that are also applicable to other actinide elements. An innovative procedure for the rapid separation of berkelium from other actinides, lanthanides, and fission products has been reported. Expediency was required in order to measure the decay properties of short-lived isotopes. Berkelium and cerium were first separated from the other elements via solvent extraction of Bk(IV) and Ce(IV), using HDEHP in the usual way. Studies of berkelium metal under pressure should be continued to determine more precisely its bulk modulus and to search for the existence of a distorted face-centered cubic (fcc) modification between the known fcc and a-uranium-type orthorhombic phases. An interesting extension of this research would be to investigate the behavior of BkN under pressure to see if it might undergo a sudden volume collapse corresponding to a change in metallic valence from three to four.
Rap1 mediates sustained MAP kinase activation induced by nerve growth factor

Activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (also known as extracellular-signal-regulated kinase, or ERK)1 by growth factors can trigger either cell growth or differentiation. The intracellular signals that couple growth factors to MAP kinase may determine the different effects of growth factors: for example, transient activation of MAP kinase by epidermal growth factor stimulates proliferation of PC12 cells1, whereas they differentiate in response to nerve growth factor, which acts partly by inducing a sustained activation of MAP kinase1. Here we show that activation of MAP kinase by nerve growth factor involves two distinct pathways: the initial activation of MAP kinase requires the small G protein Ras, but its activation is sustained by the small G protein Rap1. Rap1 is activated by CRK adaptor proteins and the guanine-nucleotide-exchange factor C3G, and forms a stable complex with B-Raf, an activator of MAP kinase. Rap1 is required for at least two indices of neuronal differentiation by nerve growth factor: electrical excitability and the induction of neuron-specific genes. We propose that the activation of Rap1 by C3G represents a common mechanism to induce sustained activation of the MAP kinase cascade in cells that express B-Raf.
Design and synthesis of an exceptionally stable and highly porous metal-organic framework

Open metal–organic frameworks are widely regarded as promising materials for applications1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15 in catalysis, separation, gas storage and molecular recognition. Compared to conventionally used microporous inorganic materials such as zeolites, these organic structures have the potential for more flexible rational design, through control of the architecture and functionalization of the pores. So far, the inability of these open frameworks to support permanent porosity and to avoid collapsing in the absence of guest molecules, such as solvents, has hindered further progress in the field14,15. Here we report the synthesis of a metal–organic framework which remains crystalline, as evidenced by X-ray single-crystal analyses, and stable when fully desolvated and when heated up to 300?°C. This synthesis is achieved by borrowing ideas from metal carboxylate cluster chemistry, where an organic dicarboxylate linker is used in a reaction that gives supertetrahedron clusters when capped with monocarboxylates. The rigid and divergent character of the added linker allows the articulation of the clusters into a three-dimensional framework resulting in a structure with higher apparent surface area and pore volume than most porous crystalline zeolites. This simple and potentially universal design strategy is currently being pursued in the synthesis of new phases and composites, and for gas-storage applications.
Can TDDB continue to serve as reliability test method for advance gate dielectric

Advanced gate dielectrics for MOSFET, be it ultra thin SiO/sub 2/ or high-k materials are destined for deep submicron technology that is moving increasingly toward 1 voltage or below operating voltage. In this paper, we show that the well-established method of reliability evaluation and lifetime projection for gate dielectric, namely time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB), will no long be a suitable method for reliability evaluation, for gate dielectrics in low voltage operation.
O kitsch como um sistema repetitivo: um problema para a teoria da hierarquia do gosto

Este artigo faz uma tentativa de elaborar uma teoria do kitsch que dispense a estrutura hierarquica tradicional em que este e muitas vezes entendido. Evitando tanto a abordagem populista dos es- tudos culturais quanto a abordagem elitista de teoricos da cultura de massa, os argumentos sao construidos rumo a uma estetica exclusivamente kitsch, que empregue as tematicas da repeticao, imitacao e emulacao como um estilo estetico distinto. Rompendo com analises tradicionais de con- vencionalidade popular na esfera do gosto, que alinha habitos de gosto com identidades de classe (como o oferecido por Pierre Bourdieu), argumenta-se que a qualidade repetitiva do kitsch aborda um problema geral da modernidade: o do “desencaixe” dos horizontes pessoais de seguranca social e cosmica (um modelo estabelecido por Anthony Giddens).
A Moral Cosmopolitan Perspective on Language Education

In recent years, scholars have turned to cosmopolitanism as a framework for thinking through issues of language and citizenship. In this article, I present Daisaku Ikeda's philosophy of cosmopolitan education and compare it with others' in the extant literature. I examine, from a philosophical perspective, its roots in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism and its implications for language education. I conclude that a moral cosmopolitan perspective on language education must be grounded in the cultivation of the three virtues of wisdom, courage, and compassion as ways of empowering individuals and communities.
How do radiographic techniques affect image quality and patient doses in CT

The radiation dose received by patients who undergo CT examinations has become a subject of considerable interest. Adult effective doses for head CT examinations are of the order of 1 to 2 mSv, and for single body examinations, patient doses are typically between 4 and 6 mSv. These doses are high in comparison to most other types of radiological examinations that use ionizing radiation. Patient CT doses may also be compared with natural background (3 mSv/year), dose limits to members of the public (1 mSv/year), and the highest level of occupational exposure, which is about 5 mSv/year. The advent of multi-slice technology will serve to increase CT utilization, as well as individual doses for any given examination. Radiologists are responsible for medical radiation doses to their patients, and it is imperative that they understand the relationship between radiation dose and image quality. In this review, we address the impact that variations in radiographic techniques (ie, selected values of X-ray kVp and mAs) have on patient doses as well as the quality of the resultant CT images.
High efficiency guiding of terawatt subpicosecond laser pulses in a capillary discharge plasma channel

Transmission efficiencies in excess of 75% were obtained in the optical guiding of subpicosecond, terawatt laser pulses in a 2-cm-long capillary discharge plasma channel at the Naval Research Laboratory. The guided laser beam size at the exit of the channel was measured using far field imaging and Thomson scattering techniques. The guided laser intensity was >1 x 10(17) W/cm(2) at a guided beam diameter of 35 microm for a propagation length of 22 Rayleigh ranges. There is evidence that the plasma channel extends beyond the ends of the capillary and affects the far field beam structure of the transmitted laser pulse.
Uses and abuses of the tissue treatment materials

Abstract A clinical study was made to evaluate the ability of the tissue treatment materials to improve the health of oral tissues traumatized by ill-fitting dentures. The ability of the tissue treatment material to accomplish that goal was dependent upon the prior correction of the trauma-causing factor. Dentures constructed after the tissue conditioning materials were used for making the final impressions were not superior in retention and stability to dentures made from other types of impressions.
Crossover from phase fluctuation to amplitude-dominated superconductivity: A model system

We have experimentally studied a model system that demonstrates the crossover from a superconductor that is dominated by phase fluctuations, to one in which the amplitude of the order parameter is the controlling influence on ${T}_{c}.$ This model system is comprised of two-dimensional granular Pb with an overlayer of Ag. The system displays many aspects of the phase diagram of the concentration dependence of ${T}_{c}$ in the high-${T}_{c}$ superconductors, and this crossover has been applied to explain the phase diagram in that case. We point out the similarities and differences between the model system presented in this paper and the high-${T}_{c}$ superconductors.
Estimating the number of undetected software errors via the correlated capture–recapture model

Abstract Sometimes a complex software system fails because of errors undiscovered in the design stage of the development process. Detecting these errors early in the process would eliminate many downstream problems. The so-called “capture–recapture” model, initially used by biologists to estimate the size of wildlife populations, has been widely used to estimate the number of software design errors. However, one simplifying assumption in capture–recapture models is that the inspections performed by various inspectors are statistically independent from each other. In the paper, we propose a novel method that is based on the correlation matrix of multiple inspectors. In a numerical analysis, we show that our method outperforms other traditional models that are based on the independence assumption.
Interaction ism and the Child: Cahill, Corsaro, and Denzin on Childhood Socialization

Socialization is one of the defining concepts of symbolic interactionism. This essay redirects attention to that area by reviewing the works of Spencer E, Cahill, William A. Corsaro, and Norman K. Denzin, three scholars who have had little attention paid to their work on childhood socialization. Under the rubrics of (a) stages: automatic or contingent?, (b) play and games, (c) peer groups and cultures, (d) gender identity, and (e) public behavior, it is argued that these scholars have advanced symbolic interaction theory on childhood socialization by featuring the constructive, communal, and collective aspects of socialization. A summary of similarities and differences among these authors is made, especially noting Corsaro's conceptualization of “interpretive reproduction.” A critique focuses on some inadequacies in their work along with suggestions for future research.
Beyond the Stalemate of Economics versus Ethics: Corporate Social Responsibility and the Discourse of the Organizational Self

The purpose of this paper is to advance research on CSR beyond the stalemate of economic versus ethical models by providing an alternative perspective integrating existing views and allowing for more shared dialog and research in the field. It is suggested that we move beyond making a normative case for ethical models and practices of CSR by moving beyond the question of how to manage organizational self-interest toward the question of how accurate current conceptions of the organizational self seem to be. Specifically, it is proposed that CSR is not a question of how self-interested the corporation should be, but how this self is defined. Economic and ethical models of CSR are not models of opposition but exist on a continuum between egoic and post-egoic, illusory and authentic conceptions of the organizational self. This means that moving from one to the other is not a question of adopting different paradigms but rather of moving from illusion and dysfunction to authenticity and functionality, from pathology to health.
Governance Redux: The Empirical Challenge

Building from the 2002/03 contribution to the Global Competitiveness Report ("Governance Crossroads"), this paper argues that governance continues to be at a crossroad, its underperformance being evident in most regions and across many countries. This ('governance policy gap') contrasts with the strides that have been made in many countries in improving the content of macro-economic policies for well over a decade. Firms from emerging economies single out corruption and excessive bureaucracy among the top constraints to their business operations, while excessive bureaucracy and the tax regime are identified as top constraints by the respondent firms from the OECD. Neither inflation nor the exchange rate regime are rated as important constraints. Many countries currently have levels of governance that are insufficient to support their income levels and/or growth path, namely they experience a 'governance deficit', which we suggest it can be quantified. We also review work analyzing the deeper determinants of governance, and find that in lower income countries the origins of a country's legal system may not matter significantly. Further, we empirically evaluate political dimensions of governance, such as the extent of 'capture' and undue influence by some politically connected powerful firms in shaping the regulations, laws and policies in a country. Unequal influence is closely associated with poor public and financial governance performance. Finally, this firm-level dataset permits the construction of a governance database at the city level, and initial results of an empirical exploration of determinants of city-level governance are presented. A key implication of this chapter refers to the focus on policies aimed at the nexus between corporate strategies and public governance—-emphasizing prevention, external accountability and transparency mechanisms—and challenges the value of traditional measures within the public sector (such as passing laws by fiat or creating new Anti-Corruption Commissions).
Unexpected hydrogen isotope variation in oceanic pelagic seabirds

Hydrogen isotopes have significantly enhanced our understanding of the biogeography of migratory animals. The basis for this methodology lies in predictable, continental patterns of precipitation δD values that are often reflected in an organism’s tissues. δD variation is not expected for oceanic pelagic organisms whose dietary hydrogen (water and organic hydrogen in prey) is transferred up the food web from an isotopically homogeneous water source. We report a 142 ‰ range in the δD values of flight feathers from the Hawaiian petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), an oceanic pelagic North Pacific species, and inquire about the source of that variation. We show δD variation between and within four other oceanic pelagic species: Newell’s shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newellii), Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes), Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) and Buller’s shearwater (Puffinus bulleri). The similarity between muscle δD values of hatch-year Hawaiian petrels and their prey suggests that trophic fractionation does not influence δD values of muscle. We hypothesize that isotopic discrimination is associated with water loss during salt excretion through salt glands. Salt load differs between seabirds that consume isosmotic squid and crustaceans and those that feed on hyposmotic teleost fish. In support of the salt gland hypothesis, we show an inverse relationship between δD and percent teleost fish in diet for three seabird species. Our results demonstrate the utility of δD in the study of oceanic consumers, while also contributing to a better understanding of δD systematics, the basis for one of the most commonly utilized isotope tools in avian ecology.
Beta, the Treynor ratio, and long-run investment horizons

Beta and Treynor ratios are computed for portfolios of small stocks, large stocks, and bonds for holding periods of 1 to 30 years. For both the stock and bond portfolios, beta, and the Treynor ratio change substantially with the holding period. Furthermore, the relative Treynor rankings of the portfolios change. Therefore, betas and Treynor ratios cannot be calculated independently of the intended investment horizon. Investors with long-run investment horizons must interpret performance parameters obtained from investment advisory services with due consideration for horizon effects.
Undergraduate Program Revision at Kansas State University

This article reports the Kansas State experience in extensive revision of its undergraduate educational program. Revision was based on student, faculty, alumni, and employer participation. The new curriculum gives new emphasis to behavioral sciences and analytical techniques which better prepare students for agribusiness jobs.
Plasma Levels of Adiponectin, a Novel Adipocyte‐Derived Hormone, in Sleep Apnea

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with obesity, sympathetic activation, systemic inflammation, and cardiovascular morbidity. Obesity, β-adrenergic agonists, and inflammation are linked to decreased expression and/or secretion of an adipose tissue-derived antiatherogenic hormone, adiponectin. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether OSA affected plasma levels of adiponectin, which might help explain OSA-associated cardiovascular morbidity. Research Methods and Procedures: We randomly selected 68 otherwise healthy male subjects, either with moderate/severe OSA [apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 20; n = 35] or without OSA (AHI ≤ 5; n = 33). The diagnosis of OSA was made based on prospective full polysomnography. Adiponectin was measured before polysomnography between 8 and 10 PM. Results: AHI was higher in the OSA group (49.5 ± 4.4 vs. 2.9 ± 0.4 events/h; p < 0.001). OSA subjects were also more obese, with greater BMI (33 ± 1 vs. 30 ± 1; p = 0.016) and percentage body fat (29 ± 1% vs. 26 ± 1%; p = 0.030). Adiponectin levels were 7.67 ± 0.73 and 6.33 ± 0.51 μg/mL in the OSA and non-OSA groups, respectively, and this difference was significant in covariate analysis (taking into account age, hemodynamic characteristics, measures of body fat, and OSA severity) (p = 0.009). After excluding from both groups the subjects with extreme BMI, such that the OSA and non-OSA study cohorts had similar BMI and percentage body fat, subjects with OSA had significantly higher plasma adiponectin (8.49 ± 0.92 vs. 6.32 ± 0.55 μg/mL; p = 0.042), differences also evident in covariate analysis (p = 0.017). Discussion: Plasma adiponectin levels are elevated in otherwise healthy subjects with OSA. Therefore, low adiponectin is unlikely to explain the association between OSA and cardiovascular disease.
CHARGED PION PHOTOPRODUCTION AND FINITE ENERGY SUM RULES.

Abstract The large s , small t pion photoproduction data and the corresponding continuous moment sum rules are fitted with evasive Regge poles and associated Regge cuts, instead of the commonly accepted pion conspiracy. The FESR actually yield the real parts of the photoproduction amplitudes, essentially independent of the model. A further assumption permits the prediction (in good agreement with existing data) of high energy cross sections directly from the FESR, without commitment to any particular model.
Gastric diverticula following subtotal gastrectomy

Four cases of gastric diverticula following subtotal gastrectomy are described. This type of diverticula associated with partial gastrectomy are probably true, acquired, pulsion diverticula. In two of our patients the diverticula were associated with significant prolapse of gastric mucosa causing obstruction at the anastomosis.
Evaluating tree competition indices as predictors of basal area increment in western Montana forests

Fire hazard reduction treatments are commonly applied to mixed-species coniferous forests in western Montana, USA, to modify fuels structures and alter the competitive environments of individual trees. An improved understanding of how competition can be measured and how it conditions individual tree growth is needed for projecting the development of these forests, with and without treatment. Numerous studies have evaluated how competition affects tree growth and many indices have been developed to quantify the competition an individual tree experiences. These studies suggest that no single competition index or a single class of indices is universally superior; indices perform differently according to forest type and forest conditions. We chose several widely used distance-independent and distance-dependent competition indices, and also derived anisotropic distance-dependent indices from estimates of light interception by tree crowns. We evaluated the effectiveness of these competition measures for predicting basal area increment (BAI) of Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Larix occidentalis in western Montana. The best distance-dependent competition indices explained a larger proportion of growth variation than the best distance-independent indices (64% vs. 56%). This result indicates that competition is an important growth determinant in these forests and that competition varies locally, with variable tree densities and relatively complex stand structures creating heterogeneous neighborhood conditions. Competition indices derived from light interception models were only weakly correlated with other indices and performed poorly in terms of predicting tree growth. This result accords with previous observations that competition for light is not the primarily growth limitation for trees in the semi-arid conditions of western Montana. More sophisticated light availability models could be used to better assess variability in light interception and its marginal contribution to predictive accuracy of radial tree growth. Diameter and distance-dependent BAI models were developed for growth prediction at the species level and for all species combined.
A New Model for Springback Prediction for Aluminum Sheet Forming

A new model for springback, based on isotropic and kinematic hardening models, the Mroz multiple surfaces model, and observations from experimental data, is proposed in this paper. In this model, a material parameter (CM), which is significant after reverse yielding, is suggested to handle the Bauschinger effect. A simple, low-cost, multiple-bending experiment has been developed to determine CM for aluminum alloys AA6022-T4 and AA6111-T4. The new model fits available experimental results better than the isotropic and kinematic hardening models and the Mroz multiple surfaces model.
Design and synthesis of 3D ordered macroporous ZrO2/Zeolite nanocomposites

Abstract Zeolite NaY nanocrystals (20−50 nm) were hydrothermally grown on polyelectrolyte-coated three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) activated zirconia. The zeolite nanocrystallites uniformly coated the macropore walls of 3DOM sulfated zirconia, but sulfate groups were lost during the hydrothermal reaction. 3DOM tungstated zirconia was found to be more stable in the strong basic environment of the zeolite precursor solution. Further, ion-exchange of zeolite NaY with ruthenium followed by hydrogen-reduction formed a composite of RuNaY and 3DOM activated zirconia. The presence of ruthenium was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and the external shape of zeolite nanoparticles was maintained after ion-exchange, but the zeolite lattice fringes could not be observed by transmission electron microscopy after incorporation of reduced ruthenium. Although the catalytic activity of the materials has not yet been tested, these hierarchical nano- and microstructures bring multiple catalyst components (modified zeolite Y, a typical Fischer–Tropsch catalyst, and activated zirconia, an isomerization catalyst) together in intimate contact for potential multi-reaction processes.
On the dimension of n-point sets

Abstract We give an affirmative answer to a question raised by Khalid Bouhjar and Jan J. Dijkstra concerning whether or not every one-dimensional partial n-point set contains an arc by showing that a partial n-point set is one-dimensional if and only if it contains an arc.
University students from homes with alcoholic parents: Considerations for therapy groups

Abstract Descriptive data of group members, structured group activities, and recommendations for therapy groups for young adult children of alcoholics are offered.
Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in a T-cell line (CEM) by new dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (CD26) inhibitors

Summary Phenylalanyl-pyrrolidine-2-nitrile (Phe-pyrr-2-CN) and arginyl(PMC)-pyrrolidine-2-nitrile (Arg(PMC)-pyrr-2-CN) are two dipeptidyl peptidase IV/CD26 (DPP-IV/CD26) inhibitors designed and synthesized by our group. These two compounds suppress the enzymatic activity of DPP-IV/CD26 in a competitive and reversible manner. Pretreatment of CEM cells with either of the compounds yielded a marked albeit transient reduction of HIV infection, as measured by HIV1 p24 production, RT activity and syncytium formation. The ID 50 , value of Phe-Pyrr-2-CN and Arg(PMC)-pyrr-2-CN in HIV1 inhibition was 5.3 μM and 2.4 μM, respectively. Administration of either of the DPP-IV/CD26 inhibitors 1 h after HIV1 infection did not suppress HIV1 production. An analog whose inhibitory activity toward DPP-IV/CD26 was abolished by blocking the N-terminal of Phe-pyrr-2-CN with the 9-fluorenymethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) group had no effect on HIV1 infection. An additive effect of HIV1 inhibition was observed in combinations of either of the DPP-IV/CD26 inhibitors with CD4 monoclonal antibody. These results suggest that DPP-IV/CD26 enzymatic activity may play a role in facilitating HIV1 infection of human CD4 + T cells at the entry process. DPP-IV/CD26 inhibitors may therefore have potential use in combination with other drugs to prevent HIV1 transmission.
Adolescent Substance Use and Abuse Prevention and Treatment: Primary Care Strategies Involving Social Networks and the Geography of Risk and Protection

The use and abuse of licit and illicit substances in adolescence is a national public health concern. This behavior impairs healthy development for many adolescents in the United States. Although not every adolescent who becomes a regular user of licit and illicit substances will develop a substance abuse disorder, all adolescents using these substances can experience a life-threatening outcome. Understanding the epidemiology and social profile of adolescent substance use, namely the risk and protective factors and the environmental and genetic factors, is essential to the development of strategies for prevention. There are many methods that can be employed to better assess environments in which adolescents live. The method discussed in this paper is descriptive and utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology. The primary goal of this paper is to illustrate and describe an analysis of substance using and non-substance using adolescents, their social networks, the risky and protective settings where they socialize, and the relationship of these variables to health outcomes such as substance use, depression, and stress. Published data from the researchers’ recent investigation examine the effect of social network affiliations and geographical risk factors on drug involvement and illustrate how these factors may then be incorporated into prevention and intervention planning, especially in medical settings.
Attraction of Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia argentifolii to eggplant, and its potential as a trap crop for whitefly management on greenhouse poinsettia

Trap cropping, though promising, has had little evaluation in greenhouses. This study evaluated eggplant, Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae), as a trap crop for two whitefly species, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) and Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring (both Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), on greenhouse poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Koltz (Euphorbiaceae). Because the two whitefly species co-occur in greenhouses, a common trap crop for both whiteflies is desirable. When adults were provided a choice between eggplant and poinsettia in a cage, 60% of B. argentifolii and 98% of T. vaporariorum were observed on eggplant after 3 days. However, when adults were given eggplant after first settling on poinsettia, only 38% of B. argentifolii were later found on eggplant, whereas 95% of T. vaporariorum moved to eggplant. In a greenhouse experiment, eggplant did not affect either the spatial distribution or density of adult B. argentifolii on poinsettias. In contrast, eggplant changed the spatial distribution of T. vaporariorum within 3 days by attracting and retaining the adults. However, the attractiveness of eggplant did not result in a reduced number of T. vaporariorum on poinsettias compared with poinsettias in monoculture. Adult T. vaporariorum mortality was high on poinsettias and this likely caused adult density on poinsettias in monoculture to decrease as fast as that under trap cropping. A simulation model was developed to examine how adult whitefly mortality on poinsettia influences trap cropping effectiveness. When whitefly mortality was high, simulated densities were similar to the experimental data. This reveals an unexpected factor, pest mortality on the main crop, that can influence the relative effectiveness of trap cropping. Our results indicate that eggplant will not work unilaterally as a trap crop for B. argentifolii. For T. vaporariorum, attraction to eggplant might be useful as a trap crop system when whitefly mortality on the main crop is not high.