cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Mutation of Carboxyl Side-Chain Amino Acids Near the Heme on the Midpoint Potentials and Ligand Binding Constants of Nitrophorin 2 and Its NO, Histamine, and Imidazole Complexes

Nitrophorins (NPs) are a group of NO-carrying heme proteins found in the saliva of a blood-sucking insect from tropical Central and South America, Rhodnius prolixus, the “kissing bug”. NO is kept stable for long periods of time by binding it as an axial ligand to a ferriheme center. The fact that the nitrophorins are stabilized as FeIII−NO proteins is a unique property because most heme proteins are readily autoreduced by excess NO and bind NO to the Fe(II) heme irreversibly (Kds in the picomolar range). In contrast, the nitrophorins, as Fe(III) heme centers, have Kds in the micromolar to nanomolar range and thus allow NO to dissociate upon dilution following injection into the tissues of the victim. This NO can cause vasodilation and thereby allow more blood to be transported to the site of the wound. We prepared 13 site-directed mutants of three major nitrophorins, NP2, NP1, and NP4, to investigate the stabilization of the ferric−NO heme center and preservation of reversible binding that facilitates the...
Barriers to higher education for Asian/Pacific-American females

As a group, Asian/Pacific Americans (APA) have more credits in high-level science and mathematics than other ethnic groups, but many APAs do not follow this “model minority” stereotype. This paper focuses on Asian/Pacific-American females who are socialized into traditional roles and are not academically prepared for higher education. Data were collected from questionnaires and life-history narratives completed by 46 part Hawaiian, Filipino, and Samoan-American public high school girls, and from their school records.
Performance analysis of passive low-grazing-angle source localization in maritime environments using vector sensors

We consider the problem of passive estimation of source direction-of-arrival (DOA) and range using polarization-sensitive sensor arrays, when the receiver array and signal source are near the sea surface. The scenario of interest is the case of low-grazing-angle (LGA) propagation in maritime environments. We present a general polarimetric signal model that takes into account the interference of the direct field with the field reflected from smooth and rough surfaces. Using the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) and mean-square angular error (MSAE) bound, we analyze the performance of different array configurations, which include an electromagnetic vector sensor (EMVS), a distributed electromagnetic component array (DEMCA), and a distributed electric dipole array (DEDA). By computing these bounds, we show significant advantages in using the proposed diversely polarized arrays compared with the conventional scalar-sensor arrays.
The Day the Voices Stopped: A Memoir of Madness and Hope.

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry - Vol. 42 - N° 3 - p. 378-379
Weight Loss Through Bariatric Surgery: Some Issues

Obesity is a serious chronic disease. In the USA, approximately one-third of the population meets the criteria to be classified as obese, impacting both the morbidity and mortality for these individuals. Emerging in the treatment of obesity are surgical interventions. In particular, laparoscopic gastric banding (Lap-Band) surgery is a widely implemented treatment for weight loss in obese individuals. The literature supports the necessity of lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and medical follow-up following bariatric surgery in order to sustain long-term health. Strong and sustained social support may also play a role in managing weight loss and lifestyle change, though few studies have explored the role of social support in weight loss management. In this retrospective study, we examined data for patients who underwent Lap-Band surgery who were offered the opportunity to attend support group meetings during the year following their surgery. We did not observe a statistically significant relationship between the number of support group meetings attended by patients and weight loss, nor did we find that age, sex, or race were contributing factors in such a relationship. The median number of support group sessions attended by Caucasian patients was found to be significantly larger as compared to African American patients. We did not find that one gender was more likely to attend support group meetings than another.
Nonlinear Robust Hybrid Control of Robot Manipulators

The success of a robot force and position (hybrid) control scheme relies very much upon its robustness against uncertainties such as unknown external disturbance or modeling errors in the description of robot, sensor and envirornment. In this paper we propose a new nonlinear robust hybrid control scheme for robot motion control. The control input consists of a nonlinear and a linear part. The nonlinear input decouples a robot dynamics and obtains a set of position and force equations in the hand or cartesian coordinate. The linear part applies the robust servomechanism theory to suppress position or force tracking error due to uncertainties. This nonlinear robust hybrid control scheme is applied to a two-joint SCARA-type robot, and simulation results demonstrate excellent robustness properties and satisfactory hybrid control even under severe modeling errors.
Case Article---Seagate-Quantum: Encroachment Strategies

Few terms in the recent literature on innovation management have been as widely used as the phrase disruptive technology. Yet this term is widely misunderstood. As Christensen and Raynor 2003, p. 143 note, “Many readers have equated in their minds the terms disruptive and breakthrough. It is extremely important, for purposes of prediction and understanding, not to confuse the terms.” This case shows how to recognize a potentially disruptive technology: it diffuses via a process of low-end encroachment. The new technology initially imposes little apparent threat because it sells to low-end or new customers, but it eventually encroaches on the current market from the low end upward. The case compares and contrasts low-end encroachment using the example of a new, smaller disk drive involving the firms Seagate and Quantum to the case of high-end encroachment, where a new product such as a Pentium IV initially sells to high-end customers. In an oversimplified but concrete way, the case shows how marketing concepts such as conjoint analysis and reservation price tie into the concept of a demand curve, and how operations improvements via the learning curve, or via product and process design can lead to market share changes and product diffusion. These all have implications on firm strategy. Thus the case integrates material from multiple disciplines and might be used in MBA, MS, executive, or undergraduate courses that cover topics such as technology management, operations strategy, new product development, marketing strategy, or competitive strategy.
Use of monoclonal antibody for assessment of estrogen and progesterone receptors in malignant effusions.

An immunocytochemical assay utilizing specific monoclonal antibodies against estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) has been shown to be highly reliable for the detection of hormone receptors in hormone sensitive tumors. To assess the usefulness of this technique in malignant effusions, CytospinR (Shandon, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA 15275), preparations of 41 pleural and ascitic fluid were studied. The findings from the malignant cells employing estrogen and progesterone receptor immunocytochemical assay were compared with the results obtained from primary tumors by biochemical (dextran-coated charcoal) assay. The results agreed in 88% for ER and 83% for PgR. This study supports the potential value of cytochemical technique in detection of hormone receptors in malignant effusions. Assessment of hormone receptors in malignant effusions may be of clinical significance, particularly in situations where the hormone receptor status of the original tumor is not known. This information may also have some diagnostic and therapeutic importance in assessment of patients presenting with metastatic tumors of unknown origin. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Image Interpolation Exploiting Phase Diversity

In this paper we present an analysis-synthesis system with adaptive synthesis filters. The general formulation can be employed for image compression applications, but can also be used for image size enlargement. The synthesis section is constructed to contain a multiplicity of outputs with different phase characteristics. By exploiting phase diversity in synthesis, improvement in both PSNR and subjective interpolation quality are possible relative to conventional bilinear and bicubic interpolation methods.
Genetic/genomic evidence for a key role of polarized endocytosis in filamentous differentiation of S. cerevisiae.

Unicellular S. cerevisiae cells switch from the yeast form to pseudohyphal or filamentous form in response to environmental cues. We report that wild-type BY diploids (in which yeast ORFs have been systematically deleted) undergo normal HU-induced filamentous growth and discernable nitrogen starvation-induced filamentous growth, despite their perceived filamentation-deficient S288C genetic background. This finding allowed us to perform a genome-wide survey for non-essential genes that are required for filamentous growth with the homozygous deletion strains. We report that genes involved in endocytosis are required for both HU-induced and nitrogen starvation-induced filamentous growth. Surprisingly, no known genes involved in exocytosis are required. Despite the fact that polarized growth involves transport of vesicles to the site of growth, we failed to obtain genetic/genomic evidence that exocytosis plays an essential role in filamentous growth. A possible key role of polarized endocytosis (from the growth tip) is consistent with the proposed biological function of filamentous growth as a foraging behaviour. In addition, BUD8 that encodes the distal landmark in yeast-form bipolar budding is required for nitrogen starvation-induced but not HU-induced filamentous growth. Moreover, BUD5, SPA2, PEA2 and BUD6 that regulate bipolar bud site selection do not regulate the unipolar distal budding pattern in HU-induced filamentous growth. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pioneers in Optics: Louis Daguerre and George Eastman

Born near Paris, France on November 18, 1787, Louis-Jacques-Mande Daguerre was to become both a painter and the inventor of the first successful form of photography. Originally trained as an architect, Daguerre later became a pupil of E. M. Degotti at the Paris Opera and a thriving scene painter. In 1822, working with Charles Boulton, Daguerre helped develop the Diorama, a Paris illusionistic exhibition that contained paintings on large translucent screens, which seemed to come to life with skillful light manipulation.From humble beginnings, George Eastman revolutionized the field of photography by simplifying the process and making it accessible to the masses. The youngest of three children, Eastman was born in Waterville, New York on July 12, 1854. His family moved to Rochester when he was still a young child so his father, George Washington Eastman, could establish a business school. However, his father died in 1862 and the institution failed.
On Symmetric Instabilities in Oceanic Bottom Boundary Layers

Abstract Model studies of two-dimensional, time-dependent, wind-forced, stratified downwelling circulation on the continental shelf have shown that the near-bottom offshore flow can develop time- and space-dependent fluctuations involving spatially periodic separation and reattachment of the bottom boundary layer and accompanying recirculation cells. Based primarily on the observation that the potential vorticity Π, initially less than zero everywhere, is positive in the region of the fluctuations, this behavior was identified as finite amplitude slantwise convection resulting from a symmetric instability. To further support that identification, a direct stability analysis of the forced, time-dependent, downwelling circulation would be useful, but is difficult because the instabilities develop as an integral part of the evolving flow field. The objectives of the present study are 1) to examine the linear stability of a near-bottom oceanic flow over sloping topography with conditions dynamically similar to...
Experimental observations of the forward scattering of microwaves from a rough dielectric surface

An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the nature of bistatic scattering from rough dielectric surfaces at 10 GHz. This paper focusses specifically on the dependence of coherent and incoherent scattered fields on surface roughness for the specular direction. The measurements, which were conducted for a smooth surface and for three rough surfaces with ks=0.5, 1.39, and 1.94, included observations over the range of incidence angles from 20/spl deg/ to 65/spl deg/ for both horizontal and vertical polarizations. The lowest-order physical optics model was found to adequately describe the observations for both coherent and incoherent scattering, except in the region of the Brewster angle for /spl upsi/-polarized scattering. A second-order solution is proposed which appears to partially address the deficiency of the physical optics model in this region for incoherent scattering. >
Going for the Goal: Improving youths' problem‐solving skills through a school‐based intervention

This study evaluated Going for the Goal (GOAL), a school-based intervention designed by Danish and colleagues to teach life skills to at-risk urban adolescents. We extended previous evaluation of GOAL by including an assessment of means-ends problem-solving skills. The 10-week program was administered to 479 middle school students by 46 trained high school student leaders in a predominantly Hispanic community. The program focused on setting positive, reachable goals; anticipating and responding to barriers to goal attainment; using social support; and building on one's strengths. Results demonstrated gains in knowledge of the skills being taught and improvement in problem-solving skills. Leaders also showed an increase in their knowledge of life skills. The approach maximizes both community resources and ecological validity while giving high school leaders the chance to benefit in their role as helpers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Framework for Geospatial Satellite Imagery Retrieval Systems

This paper presents a framework for the efficient retrieval of satellite imagery from large-scale databases. With the ever-expanding volume of imagery being acquired from satellite platforms it has become increasingly important to locate specific areas of interest within a large database of images. Identifying relevant areas within image databases can be thought of as finding the "needle in the haystack" problem; too often for a particular task or application there exist a small number of useful images hidden among millions of images. The motivation behind the work presented here is that through the use of geospatial image retrieval systems, the number of scenes that image analysts must manually examine may be decreased dramatically. By using a geospatial image retrieval system as a tool, analysts no longer must manually examine the entire database of imagery, but instead can limit their search to a subset identified by our retrieval system. The techniques that are introduced in this paper have been developed in our image retrieval system named GeoIRIS: Geospatial Information Retrieval and Indexing System.
Conformational Entropy of an Ideal Cross-Linking Polymer Chain

We present a novel analytical method to calculate conformational entropy of ideal cross-linking polymers from the configuration integral by employing a Mayer series expansion. Mayer-functions describing chemical bonds within the chain and for cross-links are sharply peaked over the temperature range of interest, and, are well approximated as statistically weighted Dirac delta-functions that enforce distance constraints. All geometrical deformations consistent with a set of distance constraints are integrated over. Exact results for a contiguous series of connected loops are employed to substantiate the validity of a previous phenomenological distance constraint model that describes protein thermodynamics successfully based on network rigidity.
Dobutamine echocardiography for determining the extent of myocardial salvage after reperfusion. An experimental evaluation.

BACKGROUNDAlthough dobutamine echocardiography is being increasingly used to determine the presence of viable myocardium in patients who have undergone successful reperfusion therapy, the physiological basis for such a use has not been clearly defined. Because postischemic myocardium has contractile reserve, we hypothesized that the absolute degree of wall thickening induced by dobutamine during reflow would be directly related to the amount of myocardium that has escaped necrosis.METHODS AND RESULTSThree groups of 12 dogs each were studied at baseline and during 2 to 6 hours of coronary artery occlusion and 15 minutes of reperfusion. In group 1 dogs, which did not receive dobutamine during any of these stages, percent wall thickening at these stages was 32 +/- 6%, -2 +/- 6%, and 5 +/- 6%, respectively, and there was no relation between infarct size and percent wall thickening during reflow (r = .20, P = .51). In group 2 dogs, which received 15 micrograms/kg per minute of dobutamine at all stages, wall th...
A physiologic regurgitant cardiac valve phantom for magnetic resonance imaging or color Doppler ultrasound study

The goals of the study described were: (1) to develop a computer-controlled regurgitant cardiac valve phantom, compatible with artifact-free magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and color Doppler ultrasound (CFM); (2) to create regurgitant lesions in the phantom which appear similar to those detected clinically, (3) to measure physiologic pressure differences between chambers, compliances, and regurgitant fractions as seen in mild, moderate, and severe regurgitation. Mean chamber pressure differences ranged from 43-142 mmHg over the range of diseases simulated, regurgitant flow rates ranged from approximately 0.54-18.6 L/min, and compliance values ranged from 0.83 to 21.95 cc/mmHg fluid. No coherent or incoherent artifacts were observed in MRI or CFM images. Images showed a high degree of similarity to regurgitant lesions detected with each modality, confirming that all design goals were met. The system should allow extensive comparative analysis of Doppler ultrasound and MRI flow jets under a wide range of controllable hemodynamic conditions in future experiments. >
Learning to hash: forgiving hash functions and applications

The problem of efficiently finding similar items in a large corpus of high-dimensional data points arises in many real-world tasks, such as music, image, and video retrieval. Beyond the scaling difficulties that arise with lookups in large data sets, the complexity in these domains is exacerbated by an imprecise definition of similarity. In this paper, we describe a method to learn a similarity function from only weakly labeled positive examples. Once learned, this similarity function is used as the basis of a hash function to severely constrain the number of points considered for each lookup. Tested on a large real-world audio dataset, only a tiny fraction of the points (~0.27%) are ever considered for each lookup. To increase efficiency, no comparisons in the original high-dimensional space of points are required. The performance far surpasses, in terms of both efficiency and accuracy, a state-of-the-art Locality-Sensitive-Hashing-based (LSH) technique for the same problem and data set.
Advances in osmotic opening of the blood-brain barrier to enhance CNS chemotherapy.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) to water-soluble drugs and macromolecules can be opened in vivo by infusing a hypertonic solution of arabinose or mannitol into the carotid artery for 30 sec. Opening involves widening of tight junctions between endothelial cells of the cerebrovasculature and is mediated by endothelial cell shrinkage, vascular dilatation associated with removal of water from brain, and modulation of the contractile state of the endothelial cytoskeleton and junctional proteins by increased intracellular calcium. A 10-fold increase in BBB permeability to intravascular substances, lasting about 10 min following osmotic exposure, reflects both increased diffusion and bulk fluid flow from blood into brain. Furthermore, recent evidence indicates that the duration of peak BBB opening can be extended beyond 30 min, by pre-treatment with a Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker. In experimental animals, the osmotic method has been used to grant wide access to brain of water-soluble drugs, peptides, antibodies, boro...
Potentiation of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors by 17β-Estradiol: Roles of the Carboxy-Terminal and the Amino-Terminal Extracellular Domains

The endogenous steroid 17β-estradiol (βEST) potentiates activation of neuronal nicotinic receptors containing α4 subunits. Previous work has shown that the final 4 residues of the α4 subunit are required for potentiation. However, receptors containing the α2 subunit are not potentiated although it has these 4 residues, and only one amino acid difference in the C-terminal tail (FLAGMI vs. WLAGMI). Previous work had indicated that the tryptophan residue was involved in binding an analog of βEST, but not in potentiation by βEST. To determine the structural basis for the loss of potentiation we analyzed data from chimeric subunits, which indicated that the major factor underlying the difference between α2 and α4 is the tryptophan/phenylalanine difference, while the N-terminal extracellular domain is a less significant factor. When the tryptophan in α4 was mutated, both phenylalanine and tyrosine conferred lower potentiation while lysine and leucine did not. The reduction reflected a reduced maximal magnitude of potentiation, indicating that the tryptophan is involved in transduction of steroid effects. The regions of the α4 N-terminal extracellular domain involved in potentiation lie near the agonist-binding pocket, rather than close to the membrane or the C-terminal tail, and appear to be involved in transduction rather than binding. These observations indicate that the C-terminal region is involved in both steroid binding (AGMI residues) and transduction (W). The role of the N-terminus appears to be independent of the C-terminal tryptophan and likely reflects an influence on conformational changes caused during channel activation by agonist and potentiation by estradiol.
COMPETITIVE ORIENTATION AND SPORT MOTIVATION OF PROFESSIONAL WOMEN FOOTBALL PLAYERS: AN INTERNET SURVEY

The primary aim of this exploratory study was to describe and examine relationships among competitive orientations, sport motivation, and age of professional women football players. A secondary aim was to examine differences in competitive orientations and sport motivation between younger and older players. Because the study is exploratory, specific hypotheses were not tested. A final aim of the project was to examine to the feasibility and utility of conducting sport and exercise psychology research through the Internet. Women professional football players (N =118) with ages ranging jrom 18 to 45 (M 31.11, SD = 6.09 years), were recruited via an e-mail sent to a team manager or coach. Respondents were directed to a website that contained the Informed Consent, Sport Orientation Questionnaire (SOQ) (Gill & Deeter, 1988), and Sport Motivation Scale (SMS) (Pelletier, Fortier, Vallerand, Tuson, Briere, & Blais, 1995). There were significant moderate correlations among SOQ and SMS scales. There was a significant negative correlation between age and the SMS Extrinsic Motivation Identification scale. MANO VA results revealed a nonsignificant age effect for SOQ scores and a significant age effect for SMS responses. Univariate results revealed SMS Extrinsic Motivation Identification was higher in younger players than older players. Internal reliability for SOQ and SMS responses was similar to values reported in previous studies. Overall, women in this study were highly competitive and intrinsically motivated. Sport and exercise psychologists are encouraged to consider the opportunities of Internet research.
The Unit-comparison Cost Approach in Residential Appraisal

The cost approach has not received much attention in academic journals. However, this lack of attention is undeserved. Cost functions represent one side of the market and may constrain the form of hedonic equations and the type of grid used in the market approach. Of course, cost functions can play a role in appraisals. A theory of cost functions is developed in this chapter. This theory accomplishes several purposes. First, it provides a link between unit-in-place costs and cost comparisons using square footage. Second, it provides the foundation for developing an alternative, non-tabular approach to cost estimation.
A-ONE: a switched optical LAN

This paper describes a MITRE IR&D project, A-ONE (for all-optical network"), whose objectives are to develop a research testbed for prototyping optical-networking technology and concurrently to develop advanced applications that can take advantage of such technology. Key challenges that have been addressed are reliable transmission of high-speed digital anti wideband analog signals in a nonideal communications environment and the design of a network architecture that takes advantage of the benefits and overcomes the constraints of optical networking. The discussion presents the research that has been carried out to establish the network, including the protocols and other software that have been developed, the analog and digital applications that operate over the network. and the network performance that has been measured.
Self-Injurious Behavior in Tourette Syndrome

Self-injurious behavior (repetitive infliction of self harm) occurred in 29% of 300 subjects with Tourette syndrome and was correlated with comorbid OCD, impulsivity, episodic rages, and with tic severity.
Mission Accomplished: What's Next for Consumer BDT-JDM Researchers?

A main objective of Behavioral Decision Theory (BDT) research – demonstrating that economic theory often fails as a description of decision making as well as gaining insights into systematic influences on judgment and choice – has been largely accomplished. This research program, published in psychology, decision making, marketing, and other fields, has had unique characteristics that combined criteria employed in economics and psychology. Now that the prominent portion of the BDT agenda has been largely completed, it is time to consider whether the BDT and greater judgment and decision making (JDM) community in marketing will pursue a new direction or just follow the topics of the day (e.g., current topics in social psychology, public policy applications of previous JDM findings). I propose a broad research area – the interaction between the evolving information environment and consumer JDM – that raises a wide range of important questions and may fit the skills and interests of BDT researchers. In addition to raising new JDM concepts and problems, the proposed area can lead to major revisions of long established frameworks of consumer behavior and marketing. It is far from obvious, however, that BDT researchers/marketing professors, who are accustomed to studying general purpose JDM topics and are aligned with the broader JDM and social psychology community, will be receptive to a consumer-centric research program.
Static Analysis of GLB120—27 Type Screw Pump

When the abrasion between rotor and stator rubber of the single screw pump has been caused,according to the operation principles and structural characteristics,the entity model of the GLB120—27 type single screw pump which is used in oilfield was established. The finite element model for different working condition is developed using the software ANSYS11.0,tetrahedron element SOLID 45 and hexahedron element SOLID 185,and method of dividing the net lattice by mapped and free meshing,simulating the running parameter,such as pressure,torque,magnitude of interference,temperature. The model is analyzed on mechanics by ANSYS. The distribution rule of the mechanics parameter is obtained,such as shearing strength,contact pressure and so on. The analytic result can provide the theoretical basis for analyzing the abrasion of screw pumps.
Clinical analysis of 160 patients treated by myomectomy during cesarean section

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of myomectomy during cesarean section.Methods: Control group(100 patients)underwent cesarean section,study group(160 pregnant women) underwent myomectomy during cesarean section.Operative time,intraoperative blood loss and postoperative inpatient period were analyzed retrospectively.According to the tumor size,patients were devided into 2 groups: leiomyoma bigger than 8cm group and the ≤8cm group.Results: The operative time of study group was significantly longer than that of control group(P0.05).There was no significant difference between two groups in intraoperative blood loss and postoperative inpatient period(P0.05).The group in which leiomyoma are bigger than 8cm needs significantly longer operative time and lost more blood than the other in which leiomyomas were ≤8cm.Conclusion: According to the specific conditions of the patient,selective myomectomy during cesarean section is safe,but when leiomyoma is bigger or locating at a special position,myomectomy during cesarean section should be cautious.
Development trend of natural lighting method for design of urban waterfront buildings

Based on the waterfront landscape ecology,architectural physics and architecture design method,the natural lighting technologies for buildings at home and abroad are analyzed herein in the aspects of the characteristics of the waterfront natural light resources,lighting technologies and the relevant new materials,and then the main modes of the natural lighting of buildings are summarized and the properties of the lighting technologies are analyzed as well,finally,the intelligentialized development trend and the energy-saving and environmental protection modes of the natural lighting of the waterfront buildings in China are put forward.
Pancreatic Cancer in Lynch Syndrome: A Case Report.

Abstract Background: In the literature, pancreatic cancer is not frequently acknowledged among the tumors that are considered a part of Lynch Syndrome. Case Presentation: Our case is one of a young man who was found, very early in life, to have pancreatic cancer. His tumor demonstrated germline microsatellite instability, and hence by definition the patient has Lynch syndrome. He responded well to treatment, which included surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. To date he remains in remission from pancreatic cancer. Conclusion: The rare instances in this case report include: (a) The patient had pancreatic cancer that fulfilled the histopathological and clinical criteria for Lynch syndrome. (b) Pancreatic cancer was diagnosed earlier in our patient than is expected in patients who suffer from pancreatic cancer as a part of Lynch syndrome. (c) Our patient had an excellent response to chemotherapy. He remains in remission to date from pancreatic cancer and is 5 years since his last treatment for this disease.
Strategic management's potential contributions to a theory of entrepreneurship

The article offers an overview of strategic management and its various schools of thought, followed by a summary of the field of entrepreneurship and its own disagreements over definition and bound...
THE EXTERNAL AUDITORY CANAL : ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Although the external auditory canal is relatively simple compared with other portions of the ear, the anatomy and physiology of the EAC are well adapted to permit efficient function under environmental extremes. This article contains a discussion of the embryology, anatomy, and physiology of the EAC. The most common disease of the EAC, cerumen impaction, is also considered. A thorough understanding of the normal EAC is essential for a study of its pathophysiology.
Growth Patterns of Angus Cattle11Published with the approval of the Director, Arkansas Agric. Exp. Sta., Manuscript No. 95134.

The objective of this study was to describe the growth pattern of cows in a herd of small-framed Angus cattle (Angus-I) and to compare it with the growth pattern of a herd composed of more genetically diverse Angus cattle (Angus-II). Data included weight and age data of females born in these two herds from 1974 through 1988. Growth-curve parameters were estimated for 42 I and 218 Angus-II cows using Brody’s model. Weights at birth, 205, 365, and 550 d of age (Yt)were estimated from the growth curve parameters for each animal. Also, observed weights were obtained for females at these ages. Observed and estimated degrees of maturity (ut) were obtained, and age at maturity was estimated as time taken to reach 98% of mature weight. Growth traits were analyzed by least squares procedures using a model that included terms for year, herd, year × herd interaction, inbreeding coefficient, inbreeding coefficient × herd interaction, and residual error. Average actual weights were higher (P < 0.05)for Angus-II than for Angus-I cows with the difference between herds increasing at older ages to a difference of 46 kg in mature weight. Except for birth weight, least squares means for weights estimated from growth curve parameters were similar to observed weights. Degree of maturity at birth was 6% for both herds. Angus-I cows were more mature (P < 0.05) than Angus-II cows at 365 and 550 d and reached maturity 8.8 mo earlier (P < 0.05).Results indicate that Angus-I cattle were maturing faster to a smaller size than Angus-II cattle. This genetic diversity may be helpful in matching feed requirements to production resources in future breeding programs.
A Living Wage from World War I Through the Onset of the Great Depression

This chapter describes how the concept of a living wage became of greater importance during the 1920s through US participation in World War I. It first looks at how the federal government in the USA planned the economy to fight World War I and uncovers that a living wage was part of the plan. Then it will describe how reformers continued to promote a living wage during the period of reconstruction immediately after the war and will follow this promotion through the 1920s to its culmination into proposals for the federal government to end the Depression by managing the economy, much as it had during the war. These proposals also included a living wage.
Women’s Health in the Post-menopausal Age

In recent human history, the trajectory of the human life cycle in industrialized cultures has undergone a profound shift. Dramatic increases (30–40 years or more) in average and maximum life expectancies have occurred, along with decreases in infant and maternal mortality rates, delays in childbearing, and fertility rate declines, plus lower mortality rates for older adults. Both the proportion and absolute numbers of older adults are growing globally, attributable in large part to the vast numbers of people born during the post-World War II “baby boom.” The extension of the human life span to “extreme” old ages (80–100 years or more) has been caused by changes in culture that have outpaced biological evolution, including better nutrition, sanitation, and medical care, as well as protection against deaths from accident and exposure. An equally dramatic epidemiologic transition has accompanied this demographic change, shifting major causes of death away from infection, injury, and exposure to later-onset diseases often characterized by an extended period of disability. Women are longer-lived on average than men, and the modern “longevity bonus” means that millions of us will live a third or more of our lives in a healthy post-menopausal state. On the other hand, more older women spend their later years struggling with chronic, disabling conditions, some of which are associated with declines in estrogen and progesterone after menopause. An evolutionary analysis of these trends provides a valuable perspective on how the health consequences of an extended post-reproductive life span for modern women.
An Electronic Health Record–Based Strategy to Systematically Assess Medication Use Among Primary Care Patients With Multidrug Regimens: Feasibility Study

Background: Medication nonadherence and misuse are public health and patient safety concerns. With the increased adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), greater opportunities exist to communicate directly with, and collect data from, patients through secure portals linked to EHRs. Objective: The study objectives were to develop and pilot test a method of monitoring patient medication use in outpatient settings and determine the feasibility and acceptability of this approach. Methods: Adult primary care patients on multidrug regimens were recruited from an academic internal medicine clinic by a trained research assistant. After completing a baseline, in-person interview, patients were sent a link to a questionnaire about medication use via the patient portal. One week later, the RA contacted patients to complete a follow-up telephone interview assessing patient satisfaction and experience with the questionnaire. Patient EHRs were also reviewed to determine the questionnaire completion rate. Results: Of 100 patients enrolled, 89 completed the follow-up interview and 82 completed the portal questionnaire. The mean age of the sample was 61.8 (range 31-88) years. Approximately half (54/100, 54%) of the sample was male, two-thirds were white (67/100, 67%) and 26% (26/100) African-American. A total of 44% reported an annual household income of <$50,000 per year, and 17% (17/100) reported a high school or less level of education. No significant differences were found in questionnaire completion rates by sociodemographic characteristics or prior portal use. Most (68/73, 93%) found the questionnaire easy to access, easy to complete (72/73, 99%), and valuable (73/89, 82%). Time constraints and log-in difficulties were the main reasons for noncompletion. Conclusions: The portal questionnaire was well received by a socioeconomically diverse group of patients with high completion rates achieved. Routine use of a portal-based questionnaire could provide a valuable signal to providers and care teams about patient medication use and identify patients needing additional support. [JMIR Res Protoc 2017;6(8):e157]
Are Sustainability Disclosures Fraudulent

Firms’ financial statements have a well-established set of guidelines for their preparation, presentation, review, and release to the general public. In addition, there has been a great deal of research concerning the sections of the report that are more important. For instance, the net income figure is extremely important and therefore auditors will focus their review procedures to ensure the veracity of this number. In contrast, the procedures used to prepare and release information about a firm’s sustainability activities and its socially responsible performance are not nearly as formal as those for financial statements. There is increasing evidence that stakeholders do use this corporate socially responsible (CSR) information to make decisions concerning their interactions with firms. However, it is not established which specific information in the broad range of a firm’s CSR disclosures is most critical for the different decisions made by stakeholders. The combination of a lack of a well-established reporting framework and a lack of agreement on the most important attributes describing the firm’s sustainability activities makes it difficult to determine whether a material misstatement of CSR activities has occurred. This paper looks at the incentives to disclose favorable CSR information and omit unfavorable CSR information, situations in which this might have occurred, and finally how these disclosures might be viewed as fraudulent.
A survey of moral distress in certified registered nurse anesthetists: A theoretical perspective for change in ethics education for advance practice nurses.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between moral distress that may affect patient safety, and the clinical practice model, assessing ethical decision-making skills of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). Methods A survey using the Ethical Stress Scale (ESS) and the Ethical Assessment Skills Survey (EASS) was conducted with 134 CRNAs. Results Results indicated no significant effect of practice model on level of moral distress or perceived ethical assessment skill knowledge [Wilks's lambda = 0.952, F (6, 256) = 1.068, P = 0.382, n2 = 0.02]. A statistically significant positive correlation existed between importance and skill (r = 0.275, P = 0.001). CRNAs felt skilled to manage the actions or activities they deemed important. Conclusion CRNAs who perceived a higher skill level in addressing ethical issues experienced lower levels of moral distress. Findings indicate content-specific curricula for the CRNAs need to be evaluated for ethical decision-making skill assessment content.
Pediatric lateral neck infections - Computed tomography vs ultrasound on initial evaluation.

Abstract Objective Review the evaluation of children with a deep lateral neck infection and define the impact of initial imaging modality on outcomes and costs. Method Case series, pediatric patients Results There were 40 (31%) primary ultrasound and 88 (69%) primary computed tomography patients (128 total). Median length of stay was 46 (IQR: 25,90) hours (1.9 days) for primary ultrasound and 63 (IQR: 39,88) hours (2.6 days) for primary computed tomography patients (p = 0.33). Drainage was performed in 48% of both groups. Additional imaging occurred in 17 (43%) primary ultrasound and 18 (20%) primary computed tomography patients (p = 0.02). Readmission occurred in 8 patients (6.3%). Retropharyngeal infection was encountered in 13 patients (10%); this was only discovered in patients who had a computed tomography performed. Median cost per primary ultrasound patients was $5363 (IQR: 3011, 7920) and $5992 (IQR: 3450, 8060) for primary computed tomography patients. Conclusions The primary imaging modality (ultrasound or computed tomography) used to work-up children with a lateral neck infection did not impact length of stay or hospital cost. However, a significant subset had a coexisting retropharyngeal infection that was only identified on computed tomography. Future studies are needed to identify appropriate criteria for imaging in the work-up of lateral neck infections.
The Changing Electoral Landscape of the Western United States

The Western periphery constitutes one of the primary electoral sections of the United States in presidential history. The Western periphery, although at times volatile, emerged as a Republican stro...
Analysis of Rates of Geochemical Reactions

Over the last several billion years, rocks formed at equilibrium within the mantle of the Earth have been exposed at the surface and have reacted to move towards a new equilibrium with the atmosphere and hydrosphere. At the same time that minerals, liquids, and gases react abiotically and progress toward chemical equilibrium at the Earth’s surface, biological processes harvest solar energy and use it to store electrons in reservoirs which are vastly out of equilibrium with the Earth’s other surface reservoirs. In addition to these processes, over the last several thousand years, humans have produced and disseminated non-equilibrated chemical phases into the Earth’s pedosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. To safeguard these mineral and fluid reservoirs so that they may continue to nurture ecosystems, we must understand the rates of chemical reactions as driven by tectonic, climatic, and anthropogenic forcings. Chemists approach the understanding of the natural world by defining parts of the world as systems of study. The mechanically separable parts of the system—the crystalline and amorphous solids, liquids and gases—are known as phases. All the phases that are not inside the system are defined as the environment surrounding the system. By definition, a system at equilibrium will be characterized by phases with uniform composition that exist at uniform temperature and pressure. To be precise, equilibrium is defined as that state where the chemical potential of every component in every phase is equal throughout the system. To chemically understand a system, the chemical species within the system must be identified and characterized: the minimum number of species needed to define a system at equilibrium comprises the set of components of that system. Likewise, the thermodynamic state of any system is completely defined by specifying the values
Fidelity of Problem-Solving Implementation and Relationship to Student Performance

This study examined the fidelity of problem-solving implementation by multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) in 227 schools and the relationship to student outcomes. Judgments about fidelity of problem-sol...
Direction of Slip Detection for Adaptive Grasp Force Control with a Dexterous Robotic Hand

A novel method of tactile communication among human-robot and robot-robot collaborative teams is developed for the purpose of adaptive grasp control of dexterous robotic hands. Neural networks are applied to the problem of classifying the direction objects slide against different tactile fingertip sensors in real-time. This ability to classify the direction that an object slides in a dexterous robotic hand was used for adaptive grasp synergy control to afford context dependent robotic reflexes in response to the direction of grasped object slip. Case studies with robot-robot and human-robot collaborative teams successfully demonstrated the feasibility; when object slip in the direction of gravity (towards the ground) was detected, the dexterous hand increased the grasp force to prevent dropping the object. When a human or robot applied an upward force to cause the grasped object to slip upward, the dexterous hand was programmed to release the object into the hand of the other team member. This method of adaptive grasp control using direction of slip detection can improve the efficiency of human-robot and robot-robot teams.
Yardangs and Dunes: Minimum- and Maximum-Dissipation Aeolian Landforms

Abstract. Yardangs are ridges formed in soft rock by aeolian erosion in a unidirectional wind environment, and often have a 4 : 1 length : width ratio that is associated with a minimum-drag shape for a given width. Dunes are emergent aeolian landforms formed by accumulation and removal of sand particles. Dunes have a range of morphologies (barchans, stars, linear, transverse etc.) which can be mapped to the sand supply and the diversity of wind directions. The dune pattern that generally emerges is one that maximizes gross bedform normal transport (GBNT). For fixed imposed wind speed, a minimum drag force corresponds to a minimum dissipation, whereas maximum sand transport corresponds to maximum dissipation. These examples illuminate a more general paradox in non-equilibrium thermodynamics, wherein entropy production rates may be maximized or minimized depending, vaguely, on the degrees of freedom in the system. In these geomorphological examples, however, the difference is informatively clear: whereas yardangs emerge simply by removal of material alone and dissipation is minimized, dunes form by the much less constrained removal and accumulation to maximize dissipation.