cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selective approach to sternal closure after exploration for hemorrhage following coronary artery bypass.

Abstract Thirty-six (4.6%) patients required exploration for hemorrhage after 788 coronary artery bypass grafting procedures. Twenty-three (64%) patients with a specific site of bleeding that was surgically controlled or with improving congulopathy were managed by immediate sternal closure. Continued hemorrhage or toinponade necessitated reexploration in 5 of these patients. All 5 patients were then treated by open sternotomy and delayed sternal closure. There were no deaths or sternal wound infections in this subgroup. Thirteen (36%) patients explored for hemorrhage were initially treated by open sternotomy and delayed sternal closure because of ongoing coagulopathy with refractory bleeding. Twelve patients recovered without further complication. One patient died 30 days after delayed sterral closure. There were no sternal wound infections. This experience supports a selective approach to sternal closure after exploration for hemorrhage following coronary artery bypass grafting. Immediate closure is recommended if a specific site of bleeding can be located and corrected. However, in the presence of refractory hemorrhage due to coagulopathy, delayed sternal closure should be considered to avoid the subsequent morbidity of continued bleeding, including cardiac tamponade, multiple reexplorations with sternal trauma, and retained mediastinal hematoma.
Kinetics of the Cl–H2 system. I. Detailed balance in the Cl+H2 reaction

A well‐known problem in chemical kinetics is the observation that the ratio of the measured rate constants for the reactions Cl+H2 and H+HCl apparently does not equal the known equilibrium constant. Previous work has indicated that the difficulty exists in the H+HCl measurements, which were complicated by wall effects and secondary reactions of H. We have measured both rate constants over the temperature range 200–500 K, using a resonance fluorescence–flash photolysis apparatus in which wall effects were insignificant. The ratio of our measured rate constants is in excellent agreement with detailed balance.
Frederick Douglass’ use of comparison in his Fourth of July oration: A textual criticism

This essay is a textual analysis of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July oration. Douglass’ oration is analyzed in light of his change of opinion on the Constitution as a pro‐slavery document. Situating the speech in the context of Douglass’ change of opinion on the Constitution and his split with the Garrisonians provides a fuller appreciation of the speech as a denning rhetorical moment in Douglass’ career and advances an historical understanding of the speech. The “close reading” of the text considers Douglass’ use of comparison via thesis and antithesis as the organizing principle of his speech and as the primary rhetorical strategy by which he adapted the epideictic occasion of the Fourth of July oration to the task of making “the past useful” in “behalf of emancipation” and advanced an interpretational consistency among the abolitionists cause, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution.
Myocardial performance and baroreceptor reflexes in preterm neonates: an echocardiographic evaluation using the tilt-table test.

The hemodynamic consequence of head-up position in preterm infants is not known, so we used the tilt-table test to assess changes in myocardial performance and baroreceptor reflexes. Twenty-five preterm infants with gestational age (GA) (mean ± SD) 31 ± 2.9 weeks (range 25-35.5 weeks), birth weight of 1612 ± 642 g (range 520-3260 g) were studied in supine, 30°, and 60° head-up positions. GA had a significant effect on heart rate (HR) (p = 0.007), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = 0.03), left ventricular (LV) cavity dimensions (p = 0.001), cardiac output (CO) (p = 0.001), LV ejection time (LVETc) (p = 0.05), and end systolic wall stress (ESWS) (p = 0.003). An inverse relationship was seen between velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (VcFs) and ESWS (slope b = -0.019 ± 0.008, p = 0.003). Results of tilt tests showed that at supine, 30°, and 60°, respectively, HR was 162 ± 10.5, 162 ± 9, and 164 ±12 (p = NS); SBP (mmHg) was 73 ± 11, 72.5 ± 9.5, and 78 ± 10 (p = NS); CO (L/kg/min) was 0.4 ± 0.16, 0.4 ± 0.15, and 0.43 ± 0.16 (p = NS); ESWS (g/cm2) was 38.7 ± 8.3, 40.9 ± 9.9, and 43.4 ± 10.7 (p = NS); and VcFs (circ/sec) was 1.35 ± 0.3, 1.28 ± 0.4, and 1.26 ± 0.2 (p = NS). LV filling pattern as seen by early/late atrial Doppler flow velocity ratio did not change with tilt (p = NS). Myocardial performance improved with increasing GA. No significant differences in myocardial performance were found between baseline and head-up tilt positions.
The empowerment paradox as a central challenge to patient centered medical home implementation in the veteran's health administration

AbstractIn this paper we present results of a mixed methods study conducted to identify barriers to team function among staff implementing patient aligned care teams – the Department of Veterans Affairs' patient centered medical home (PCMH) model. Using a convergent mixed methods design, we administered a standardized survey measure (Team and Individual Role Perception Survey) to assess work role challenge and engagement; and conducted discussion groups to gather context pertaining to role change. We found that the role of primary care providers is highly challenging and did not become less difficult over the initial year of implementation. Unexpectedly over the course of the first year nurse care managers reported a decrease in their perceptions of empowerment and clerical associates reported less skill variety. Qualitative data suggest that more skilled team members fail to delegate and share tasks within their teams. We characterize this interprofessional knowledge factor as an empowerment paradox wher...
A Network for Scene Processing in the Macaque Temporal Lobe

Spatial navigation is a complex process, but one that is essential for any mobile organism. We localized a region in the macaque occipitotemporal sulcus that responds preferentially to images of scenes. Single-unit recording revealed that this region, which we term the lateral place patch (LPP), contained a large concentration of scene-selective single units. These units were not modulated by spatial layout alone but were instead modulated by a combination of spatial and nonspatial factors, with individual units coding specific scene parts. We further demonstrate by microstimulation that LPP is connected with extrastriate visual areas V4V and DP and a scene-selective medial place patch in the parahippocampal gyrus, revealing a ventral network for visual scene processing in the macaque.
Examining the impact of driving style on the predictability and responsiveness of the driver: Real-world and simulator analysis

Confronted with the broad range of personalities of drivers on the roads today, in-vehicle technology must be able to function either in spite of or in harmony with each driver's style. Individual drivers act and respond in different manners under various conditions, and many Driver Assistance Systems would benefit from some measure of the driver's likely behaviors in these conditions. In this study we present several measures of driving style and show how they correlate with the predictability and responsiveness of the driver in several experimental conditions. In the first two experiments, one simulator and one real-world, we find that “aggressive” drivers are more consistent in behaviors and significantly more predictable than “non-aggressive” drivers. In the third experiment, however, we find that though “non-aggressive” drivers are less predictable, they are also significantly more receptive of feedback from Driver Assistance Systems. These results could affect the design, effectiveness, and feedback mechanisms of future Driver Assistance Systems.
Intensive management practices for wheat in the southeastern Coastal Plains.

(...) Six field studies were conducted between 1984 and 1988 on either Dothan sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Plinthic Paleudult) or Marlboro loamy sand (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Paleudult) to compare traditional management (TM) and intensive cereal management (ICM) practices for this region. Cultivars, N fertilizer rates, fungicide applications, and use of a growth regulator were evaluated. Cultivar selection, N fertilization rate, and water were the most important factors for both management systems. (...)
Genetic transmission of serum IgE levels

Genetic aspects of IgE levels were studied in three large pedigrees, many of whose members had atopic sensitivities to ragweed. Data on 184 persons (80 M, 104 F) were analyzed by the methods of Elston and Stewart after logarithmic transformation and appropriate adjustment for sex and age effects. Several modes of transmission were fitted to the data. The environmental model (of equal transmission frequency for all genotypes) clearly did not fit the data (chi 2 23.03, df 3); this suggested a strong hereditary involvement in IgE distribution. High IgE levels being determined by a dominant allele gave the best fit among the hypotheses examined in pooled data. Under a pure polygenic model, the estimated heritability was 49.5%. Using a mixed model of major gene and polygenic transmission (in an analysis which approximates, but is biased toward inflating the major gene component) polygenic inheritance was found to be 11%, but has no significant improvement over the major gene model. When families are analyzed separately, there was evidence of significant heterogeneity among families. The genetic picture was blurred, with one family favoring recessive inheritance of high IgE levels, one with no clear mode, and the third leaning slightly in favor of dominant inheritance. This suggests that the mechanism is not as simple as was thought and that there may be either two alleles or one gene involved in the determination of IgE levels. The findings are consistent with IgE levels being genetically determined with heritability estimated to be about 50%.
Temporal aspects of English speech production: A developmental perspective

Abstract Adult speakers of a language exhibit elaborate temporal control systems governing the durations of speech segments. These systems include the effects of inherent, universal properties of the speech production apparatus as well as learned, language-specific manipulations of duration produced to provide perceptual information for the listener. Developmental aspects of several temporal parameters in the speech of 10 2 1 2 − 3 -year-old ( X ¯ = 2, 11) and 10 4 − 4 1 2 -year-old ( X ¯ = 4, 4) English-speaking children were investigated; ten adults served as a control group. Both groups of children revealed word and segment durations which were consistently longer than those of the adults, but speech segment durations of both groups of children reflected intrinsic properties similar in magnitude to those of the adults. Although absolute duration increments due to language-specific variables were greater for the children than for the adults, both groups of children behaved very much like the adults regarding proportional increments of segments. The only extensive departure of the children from adult durational properties was observed in the production of the voiceless stop consonant /t/. Despite various temporal differences observed between the speech of children and that of adults, it was concluded that children possess timing control systems which are more sophisticated than has previously been suggested.
Analysis of Volatile and Non-Volatile Biomarkers in Human Breath Using Differential Mobility Spectrometry (DMS)

Exhaled human breath contains thousands of chemicals that are potential biomarkers of disease or chemical exposure. Although many bench-top analytical instruments could measure concentrations of these chemicals, small and portable systems have the best advantage of being used in a clinical point-of-care environment or in a field setting. Here, we demonstrate coupling a miniature differential mobility spectrometer (DMS) with both a gas chromatograph (GC) and separately an electrospray ionization (ESI) module to analyze exhaled breath condensate. Our combined GC/DMS and ESI/DMS instrument systems are capable of measuring an extremely large number of chemical analytes contained in exhaled breath condensate. We have established methodologies for detecting single compounds and approximate the limits of detection for our systems. The detection limit and analytical power are clinically relevant for many potential biomarkers, and suggests our device may have many applications for disease diagnostics in human breath analysis.
Determining Ambulance—Hospital Locations for On-Scene and Hospital Services

Network models, incorporating several new impedance measures, for the location of ambulances and hospitals are introduced. Although the minimization of average impedance is frequently stated as a criterion in location models, the impedance does not usually embrace more than a single link, such as the time taken from a facility to a demand point. Here the impedance is extended to include not only the primary link between facility and demand but also the link from the point of rescue to the point of ultimate service. The return link between the service point and dispatching station is considered as well. Models for the simultaneous location of ambulance dispatching points and hospitals are framed. /Author/ /TRRL/
The Payoff of Fighting in House Crickets: Motivational Asymmetry Increases Male Aggression and Mating Success

Motivational asymmetry caused by differences in subjective resource value is a key component of strategic models of aggression. We study the role of motivational asymmetry in determining differential aggression and mating success of male house crickets, Acheta domesticus .W e also assess the extent to which mating differences associated with motivational asymmetry are due to direct male‐male fighting vs. male‐ female interactions. We manipulated male motivation to compete for a mating opportunity by providing males with either no access or nightly access to females for 4 d prior to the experiment. As predicted, when males from each treatment had to compete for the female, those with lower prior access were more aggressive and mated more often. In contrast, when males from each treatment were paired individually with females, there was no significant difference in the frequencies with which they pursued, courted or mated with females. We also found no evidence for female choice based on motivational asymmetry; the rate of successful courtship did not differ between treatments. We conclude that prior mate encounter rate can generate motivational asymmetry, leading to differential mating success mediated by direct male‐male aggression.
Ab initio studies of structural features not easily amenable to experiment. Part 16. Some characteristic structural aspects of non-cyclic hydrocarbons

Abstract The molecular structures of n-propane, n-butane, iso-butane and n-pentane have been determined by geometrically unconstrained ab initio force relaxations on the 4—21G level. Subtle but consistent trends suggest that the local symmetry of methyl groups in the stretched form of hydrocarbons is twofold rather than threefold due to differences in the planar and non-planar CH bonds and in the HCH angles. CH bond distances in the methylene groups are slightly longer than in methyl and increase with the number of adjacent CC bonds that are staggering the CH 2 -group. Inner CC bonds in n-butane and n-pentane are slightly longer than those at the end of a chain. Even though most of these features have not yet been observed experimentally they can be expected to describe reasonable trends for the systems studied.
Word-ambiguity, world-switching, and knowledge of content: reply to Brueckner

The aim of Goldberg 1997 was to show that Boghossian's so-called 'Memory Argument' (Boghossian 1989) is not really about memory in the first instance at all, but rather uses a memory-involving case to make a point about the difference between self-ascription of content and knowledge of content, which point can be made in various ways. In an attempt to vindicate my claim that the so-called 'Memory Argument' is not at bottom about memory at all, and to articulate why it is reasonable to treat S as failing to know her content, I proposed to replace Boghossian's appeal to a (contested) principle about memory with the 'Principle of Knowledgeable Identification' (PKI). To paraphrase, PKI amounted to the following stipulation, as a necessary condition on 'knowledge of content' attributions:
EST clustering error evaluation and correction

Motivation: The gene expression intensity information conveyed by (EST) Expressed Sequence Tag data can be used to infer important cDNA library properties, such as gene number and expression patterns. However, EST clustering errors, which often lead to greatly inflated estimates of obtained unique genes, have become a major obstacle in the analyses. The EST clustering error structure, the relationship between clustering error and clustering criteria, and possible error correction methods need to be systematically investigated. Results: We identify and quantify two types of EST clustering error, namely, Type I and II in EST clustering using CAP3 assembling program. A Type I error occurs when ESTs from the same gene do not form a cluster whereas a Type II error occurs when ESTs from distinct genes are falsely clustered together. While the Type II error rate is <1.5% for both 5' and 3' EST clustering, the Type I error in the 5' EST case is ∼10 times higher than the 3' EST case (30% versus 3%). An over-stringent identity rule, e.g., P ≥ 95%, may even inflate the Type I error in both cases. We demonstrate that ∼80% of the Type I error is due to insufficient overlap among sibling ESTs (ISO error) in 5' EST clustering. A novel statistical approach is proposed to correct ISO error to provide more accurate estimates of the true gene cluster profile. Availability: We have automated the methods developed in this paper in a web-based software ESTstat at http://cwdg5.bio.psu.edu/eststat. Supplementary information: http://cwdg5.bio.psu.edu/eststat
Chance Performance and Floor Effects: Threats to the Validity of the Wechsler Memory Scale—Fourth Edition Designs Subtest

The Designs subtest allows for accumulation of raw score points by chance alone, creating the potential for artificially inflated performances, especially in older patients. A random number generator was used to simulate the random selection and placement of cards by 100 test naive participants, resulting in a mean raw score of 36.26 (SD = 3.86). This resulted in relatively high-scaled scores in the 45-54, 55-64, and 65-69 age groups on Designs II. In the latter age group, in particular, the mean simulated performance resulted in a scaled score of 7, with scores 1 SD below and above the performance mean translating to scaled scores of 5 and 8, respectively. The findings indicate that clinicians should use caution when interpreting Designs II performance in these age groups, as our simulations demonstrated that low average to average range scores occur frequently when patients are relying solely on chance performance.
Macromolecular crowding: qualitative and semiquantitative successes, quantitative challenges

The concept of excluded volume and the theory of effects of excluded volume on the equilibria and rates of macromolecular reactions in fluid media containing high total concentrations of macromolecules ('crowded' media) are summarized. Reports of experimental studies of crowding effects published during the last year are tabulated. Limitations of current excluded volume theory are discussed, and a determination is made of conditions under which this theory may and may not be validly applied. Recently suggested novel approaches to quantitative analysis of crowding phenomena, which may help to overcome some of the limitations of current theory, are summarized.
Is the Association Between Children's Baby Video Viewing and Poor Language Development Robust? A Reanalysis of Zimmerman, Christakis, and Meltzoff (2007)

Zimmerman, Christakis, and Meltzoff (see record 2007-18340-001) reported that exposure to Baby Einstein videos was negatively associated with language development. The current study uses the Zimmerman et al. (2007) data set to replicate and extend the original analyses. Caregivers of 392 children aged 6 to 16 months and 358 children aged 17 to 27 months reported on media exposure, language development, and control variables related to child/parent interaction and demographic characteristics. Results indicated that exposure to baby videos could be construed as positive, neutral, or negative depending upon the statistical analysis. The effect size estimates were generally negligible across analyses. Exposure to educational programming tended to be positively related to language development. Infants exposed to no media actually had lower levels of language development compared to infants with some exposure. Given these results, the Zimmerman et al. (2007) data set does not permit strong inferences about a connection between exposure to media and language development in young children. These results also highlight recent concerns over methodological flexibility and the possibility of increased Type I errors (false positives) in the psychological literature.
Exon scanning by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for detection of known and novel EML4-ALK fusion variants in non-small cell lung cancer.

Chromosomal inversions within chromosome 2p, resulting in fusions between the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 ( EML4 ) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase ( ALK ) genes, are a recent focus of treatment options for non–small cell lung cancer. Thirteen EML4–ALK fusion variants have been identified, affecting eight EML4 exons. We have developed an exon scanning approach using multiplex reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to amplify known and potential variants involving the first 22 EML4 exons. A total of 55 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lung cancer tumors were screened, of which 5 (9%) were positive for EML4–ALK fusions. Four positive cases harbored known fusion variants: variant 3a, 3b, or both in three cases and variant 1 in one case. The fifth positive specimen harbored two novel variants, designated 8a and 8b, involving exon 17 of EML4 . Fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed the presence of EML4–ALK fusions in three of the four RT-PCR-positive specimens with sufficient tissue for examination, and also confirmed absence of fusions in all 19 RT-PCR-negative specimens tested. Immunohistochemistry analysis confirmed ALK protein expression in the sample containing the novel 8a and 8b variants. This RT-PCR-based exon scanning approach avoids the limitations of screening only for previously identified EML4–ALK fusions and provides a simple molecular assay for fusion detection in a clinical diagnostics setting.
PERFORMANCE OF SPECTROGRAM CROSS-CORRELATION IN DETECTING RIGHT WHALE CALLS IN LONG-TERM RECORDINGS FROM THE BERING SEA

We investigated the performance of spectrogram cross-correlation for automatically detecting North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) calls in long-term acoustic recordings from the southeastern Bering Sea. Data were sampled by autonomous, bottom-mounted hydrophones deployed in the southeastern Bering Sea from October 2000 through August 2002. A human analyst detected right whale calls within the first month (October 2000) of recorded data by visually examining spectrograms and by listening to recorded data; these manual detections were then compared to results of automated detection trials. Automated detection by spectrogram cross-correlation was implemented using a synthetic kernel based on the most common right whale call type. To optimize automated detection parameters, the analyst performed multiple trials on minutes-long and hour-long recordings and manually adjusted detection parameters between trials. A single set of optimized detection parameters was used to process a week-long recording from October 2000. The automated detector trials resulted in increasing proportions of false and missed detections with increasing data set duration, due to the higher proportion of acoustic noise and lower overall call rates in longer recordings. However, the automated detector missed only one calling "bout" (2 or more calls within a 10-minute span) of the 18 bouts present in the week-long recording. Despite the high number of false detections and missed individual calls, spectrogram cross-correlation was useful to guide a human analyst to sections of data with potential right whale calling bouts. Upon reviewing automatic detection events, the analyst could quickly dismiss false detections and search recordings before and after correct detections to find missed calls, thus improving the efficiency of searching for a small number of calls in long-term (months- to years-long) recordings.
Tissue-specific enhancer of the human glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit gene: dependence on cyclic AMP-inducible elements.

The authors identified and characterized elements which confer tissue specificity and cyclic AMP (cAMP) responsiveness to the human glycoprotein ..cap alpha..-subunit gene. An enhancer containing an 18-base-pair repeat conferred cAMP responsiveness in a non-tissue-specific fashion. DNase I protection assays revealed DNA-binding factors that bound to this element in both placental and nonplacental cells. It also enhanced the ..cap alpha..-subunit promoter in a tissue-specific manner but had a negligible effect on a heterologous promoter. A unique element found upstream of this enhancer had no independent activity but, in combination with the cAMP - responsive enhancer, distinctly increased the tissue-specific activity of both the ..cap alpha..-subunit promoter and a heterologous promoter. A factor that bound to this upstream element was found in placental but not nonplacental cells. The authors conclude that this novel element acts, perhaps through a specific trans-acting factor, in concert with a cAMP-responsive enhancer to confer tissue specificity to the ..cap alpha..-subunit gene.
Expanding the role of nurse practitioners: effects on rural access to care for injured workers

Context:A 3-year pilot program to expand the role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in the Washington State workers' compensation system was implemented in 2004 (SHB 1691), amid concern about disparities in access to health care for injured workers in rural areas. SHB 1691 authorized NPs to independently perform most functions of an attending physician. Purpose: The aims of this study were to (1) describe the contribution by NPs to Washington's workers' compensation provider workforce, (2) evaluate change in provider availability attributable to SHB 1691, and (3) evaluate the effect of SHB 1691 on timely accident report filing. Methods: Administrative data were used to evaluate this natural experiment, using a pre-post design with primary care physicians (PCPs) as a nonequivalent comparison group. Findings: NPs served injured workers with characteristics similar to those served by PCPs, but 22.0% of NPs were rural, compared with 17.3% of PCPs. Of claimants with NPs as their attending provider, 53.3% were injured in a rural county, compared with 24.7% for those with PCP attending providers. The number of NPs participating in the workers' compensation system rose after SHB 1691 implementation, more so in rural areas. SHB 1691 implementation was associated with a 16 percentage point improvement in timely accident report filing by NPs in both rural and urban areas. Conclusions: Authorizing NPs to function as attending providers for injured workers may improve provider availability (especially in rural areas) and timely accident report filing, which in turn may improve worker outcomes and system costs. Language: en
Associations among sleep, daily experiences, and loneliness in adolescence: Evidence of moderating and bidirectional pathways

The present study examined the dynamic associations among daily stress levels, affect, and objective sleep quality in adolescence. We also explored loneliness as a potential moderator of these associations. Seventy-eight adolescents participated over three days. They completed diary reports of stressful experiences and affect five times a day while wearing an actigraph to obtain objective measurement of sleep. They also provided self-reports of loneliness. High daily stress was associated with shorter sleep duration. Models testing bidirectional associations indicated that prior day stress was associated with shorter sleep duration, but poor sleep duration and sleep efficiency were also associated with greater stress the next day. Loneliness was a significant moderator of the associations between daily stress and sleep duration and latency such that lonely individuals had shorter sleep durations and sleep latencies after particularly stressful days. Results suggest daily dynamic associations among loneliness, daily stress, and objective measures of adolescent sleep.
A Study Of Corporate Entrepreneurship And Firm Performance In The Computer Industry During Two Technological Disruptions

This study presents a model of firm performance for Corporate Entrepreneurship (CE) Entry-Growth– Exit strategies categorized by focus of entrepreneurship, CE domain, and CE form. Over a longitudinal sample, this paper examines U.S. computer firm’s CE strategies and firm performance during two technological disruptions namely the introduction of personal computers and subsequently the internet. This paper shows that computer companies had superior performance by implementing CE strategies of sustained regeneration and organizational rejuvenation during growth. In addition, best performing companies survived the internet technological disruption by implementing the CE strategy of domain redefinition. This study concludes with recommendations for future research.
Tracking constrained clustering solutions with a probability-one homotopy map

Many algorithms for constrained clustering have been developed in the literature that aim to balance vector quantization requirements of cluster prototypes against the discrete satisfaction requirements of constraint (must-link or cannot-link) sets. A significant amount of research has been devoted to designing new algorithms for constrained clustering and understanding when constraints help clustering. However, no method exists to systematically characterize solution sets as constraints are gently introduced and how to assist practitioners in choosing a sweet spot between vector quantization and constraint satisfaction. A homotopy method is presented that can smoothly track solutions from unconstrained to constrained formulations of clustering. Experiments demonstrate how the new homotopy method helps identify better tradeoffs and reveals insight into the structure of solution sets not obtainable using pointwise exploration of parameters.
Evidence on Audit Quality Differences Across Big N Audits: The Effect of Using an Industry Specialist Auditor on Cost of Equity

We provide evidence on the determinants of the choice of an industry specialist auditor and the effect of this choice on cost of equity for a sample of firms that are audited by Big N auditors. We find that firms with more severe conflicts of interest between managers and shareholders are more likely to use an industry specialist auditor. Furthermore, we document that firms that use an industry specialist auditor have a significantly lower cost of equity after controlling for firms' endogenous decision to use an industry specialist auditor.
The Laws of War in Shakespeare: International Vs. Internal Armed Conflict

International humanitarian law distinguishes between international armed conflict and internal, or non-international, armed conflict and sets forth the rules and obligations of parties to each type of conflict. Throughout history, states have recognized that different rules apply to their behavior in internal conflicts than to actions in international conflicts; indeed, many of the normative principles underlying modern international humanitarian law date back to the Middle Ages and even to classical times. This article examines the distinction between internal and international wars in Shakespeare, and demonstrates that the normative and legal rules in force recognized and highlighted the dichotomy between domestic and foreign conflicts. Throughout Shakespeare’s works, foreign wars differ greatly from domestic conflicts in the formalities observed, the obligations of the parties toward each other, and the actual law imposed in the event of wrongdoing - and the language used demonstrates his understanding of these legal and moral distinctions. This article focuses on three primary areas to showcase the distinction between international and internal armed conflict in Shakespeare: the manifestations of the applicable law, the justifications for starting a war in the international arena versus an internal war, and the different rules governing actions in foreign war and domestic conflict, such as the treatment of opponents and the obligations of the chivalric code.
NMDA antagonists in the superior colliculus prevent developmental plasticity but not visual transmission or map compression.

Partial ablation of the superior colliculus (SC) at birth in hamsters compresses the retinocollicular map, increasing the amount of visual field represented at each SC location. Receptive field siz...
Aflatoxin toxicity in swine.

SummaryTwo trials were conducted with 108 pigs, 12-14 weeks old, to study the effects of feeding various levels of aflatoxin. Under the conditions of tthese experiments, rations containing up to 450 ppb aflatoxin B1 did not significantly affect weight gains or feed conversion of growing-finishing pigs, Rations containing 615 ppb aflatoxin B1 slightly decreased weight gains, and rations containing 810 ppb aflatoxin B1 greatly decreased weight gains and appeared to decrease feed conversion. One of the 10 pigs fed the 810 ppb aflatoxin ration died and severe liver degeneration was observed.
The Effect of Introducing a New Brand on Consumer Perceptions of Current Brand Similarity: The Roles of Product Knowledge and Involvement

This study examines how the introduction of a new and differing brand may significantly impact similarity perceptions consumers have concerning existing brands. A total of 192 students participated...
Recovery of Salmonella from Frozen Shrimp: Evaluation of Short-Term Selective Enrichment, Selective Media, Postenrichment, and a Rapid Immunodiffusion Method.

Frozen shrimp was used as a high-moisture food matrix to evaluate the effect of the following conditions and media on the recovery of Salmonella : comparative efficiency of 6 and 24 h selective enrichment incubation periods; efficiency of Rappaport-Vassiliadis (RV) medium relative to selenite cystine (SC) and tetrathionate (TT) selective enrichment broths; need for postenrichment; and reliability of the immunodiffusion method ( Salmonella 1-2 TEST) as a rapid screening procedure. From a total of 244 Salmonella -positive, samples, recoveries at 6 h for selective enrichments SC, TT, RV(1) receiving 1 ml of inoculum, and RV(2) receiving 0.1 ml of inoculum, were 147, 149, 200, and 169, respectively; at 24 h, recoveries were 148, 142, 193, and 205, respectively. As a selective enrichment, RV medium was generally more productive than either SC or TT broths. Postenrichment reduced method sensitivity. Test kit reactions were read independently by three analysts to evaluate the immunodiffusion method. Examination of 200 shrimp samples by standard cultural and 1-2 TEST methods detected 52.5-57% and 56.5-60.5% positive samples, respectively.
“We Don’t Need Money, We Need to be Together”: Forced Transnationality in Deportation’s Afterlives

ABSTRACTAs US deportations and repatriations climbed to unprecedented levels, half of Mexican immigrants deported have at least one family member who is a US citizen, and one in five have at least one child who is a US citizen. This paper applies the analytic of forced transnationality, extending its scope beyond one person’s deportation to reveal cascading effects of travel and trauma for families remaking lives across the US-Mexico border. To do so, our research draws on interviews with mixed-status families, where transnational children have legal permission to reside in the US (including citizenship) and live with caregivers (like parents) who do not. In the wake of the rupture of prolonged detention and deportation, families seek to suture themselves as a collective social subject that is reshaped by forced transnationality.
Structures of Amorphous Tetrahedrally-Bonded Semiconductors

The structural properties of amorphous tetrahedrally-bonded semiconductors are reviewed. Topologically different random networks are required to explain the behaviour of the elemental and binary materials.
Semantic Diagnosis Approach for Buildings

The detection and diagnosis of abnormal building behavior is key to further improve the comfort and energy efficiency in buildings. An increasing number of sensors can be utilized for this task but these lead to higher integration effort and the need to capture the sensor interactions. This paper presents a novel diagnostic approach for buildings with complex heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. It uses semantic graphs to automatically create the diagnostic model from the building's data points and to identify potential cause-effect-relationships based on past and current time series data. The approach is validated on various simulated examples of a multiroom HVAC control system. The experimental results show that it can diagnose multiple faults with and without delays with high accuracy.
The effect of nanoparticle enhanced sizing on the structural health monitoring sensitivity and mechanical properties of carbon fiber composites

With current carbon composites being introduced into new commercial market sectors, there is an opportunity to develop multifunctional composites, which are poised to be the next generation of composites that will see future commercial applications. This multifunctional attribute can be achieved via integrated nanomaterials, which are currently under-utilized in real-world applications despite significant research efforts focused on their synthesis. This research utilizes a simple, scalable approach to integrate various nanomaterials into carbon fiber composites by embedding the nanomaterials in the epoxy fiber sizing. Illustrated in this work is the effect of silicon carbide nanoparticle concentrations and dimensions on the structural health monitoring sensitivity of unidirectional carbon fiber composites. Additionally, the nanoparticles contribute to the overall damping property of the composites thus enabling tunable damping through simple variations in nanoparticle concentration and size. Not only does this nanoparticle sizing offer enhanced sensitivity and tunable damping, but it also maintains the mechanical integrity and performance of the composites, which demonstrates a truly multifunctional composite. Therefore, this research establishes an efficient route for combining nanomaterials research with real-world multifunctional composite applications using a technique that is easily scalable to the commercial level and is compatible with a wide range of fibers and nanomaterials.
The Masquelet Technique for Thumb Metacarpal Reconstruction Following Trauma: A Case Report.

CASE We describe an unusual case of an isolated close-range shotgun injury to the thumb with substantial osseous loss and intact vascularity, followed by treatment with the Masquelet technique and iliac crest tricortical bone autograft reconstruction. CONCLUSION Gunshot injuries to the thumb with concomitant soft-tissue and osseous loss are devastating. Reconstruction depends on the level of the injury, the severity of the soft-tissue and osseous damage, and the viability of the digit, as well as patient factors, including occupation, physical demands, and expectations.
A Parsimonious Model for Viscoelastic Liquids and Solids

The enormous progress in the capabilities of commercial rheometers allows measurements of rheological material functions with a high degree of reproducibility and over wide ranges of time and temperature. However, rheometry is still very tedious and its usefulness is often questioned. It seems that nearly all efforts had concentrated on the advancement of rheometers and too little thought had been given to questions like ‘how should we analyze the data?’, ‘how can we combine or compare rheometrical experiments?’ or ‘how can we make better use of the data?’. The problem is not that methods for the evaluation and application of the rheological data are insufficiently understood, at least in the linear viscoelastic range. The problem is that these methods still require too many repetitive and time-consuming steps to be performed on a routine basis. For example, the determination of relaxation and retardation time spectra was mostly seen in connection with major theses.
Connecting Optimization and Regularization Paths

We study the implicit regularization properties of optimization techniques by explicitly connecting their optimization paths to the regularization paths of ``corresponding'' regularized problems. This surprising connection shows that iterates of optimization techniques such as gradient descent and mirror descent are \emph{pointwise} close to solutions of appropriately regularized objectives. While such a tight connection between optimization and regularization is of independent intellectual interest, it also has important implications for machine learning: we can port results from regularized estimators to optimization, and vice versa. We investigate one key consequence, that borrows from the well-studied analysis of regularized estimators, to then obtain tight excess risk bounds of the iterates generated by optimization techniques.
Response and durability of anti-PD-(L)1 therapy in never- or light-smokers with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and high PD-L1 expression.

9011Background: PD-1 blockade is now standard first-line therapy for patients (pts) with advanced NSCLC and a PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥50%. Tumor mutation burden (TMB) is also a biomarke...
Fungicide-resistant phenotypes in Botrytis cinerea populations and their impact on control of gray mold on stored table grapes in California

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is the major postharvest disease in table grapes grown in the Central Valley of California. Preharvest use of fungicide sprays may provide an alternative to the control of postharvest gray mold. However, fungicide resistance in B. cinerea can result in the failure of disease control. In this study, 212 isolates of B. cinerea were collected from table grape vineyards in three table grape-producing counties in the region and tested for resistance to selected fungicides on fungicide-amended media. In addition, 80 isolates were tested to establish baseline sensitivity to the newer fungicide fluopyram. Seven fungicide-resistant phenotypes were detected; 85.0%, 23.1%, 13.7%, and 94.8% of the isolates were resistant to boscalid, cyprodinil, fenhexamid, and pyraclostrobin, respectively. All isolates were sensitive to fludioxonil. Only 5.2% of the isolates were sensitive to all fungicides tested, whereas 8.9%, 56.1%, 23.6% and 6.1% were resistant to one, two, three, and four modes-of-action fungicides, respectively. Of the 80 isolates tested, all were sensitive to fluopyram with EC50 values ranging from 0.001 to 0.054 μg/mL. Most fungicides failed to control gray mold on detached table grapes inoculated with respective fungicide-resistant phenotypes. Our results suggest that alternation of sprays using different classes of fungicides will be needed to control postharvest gray mold, and that fludioxonil and fluopyram could be effective fungicides integrated into a preharvest fungicide spray program for control of gray mold in table grapes in the Central Valley of California.
Der neue 2,0-l-TDI-Motor von Volkswagen für niedrigste Abgasgrenzwerte — Teil 2

In den USA wird ab Mitte 2008 mit dem Modell VW Jetta ein Fahrzeug mit Common-Rail-Motor angeboten, das die Emissionsgrenzwerte Tier 2 Bin5 erfullt. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen, wurde der bereits in Europa in den Modellen VW Tiguan und Audi A4 eingefuhrte Euro-5-Common-Rail-Motor durch innermotorische Masnahmen sowie die Einfuhrung des NOx-Abgasnachbehandlungssystems weiterentwickelt. In Teil 1 des Beitrags wurde in der MTZ 5 uber die Optimierung des Einspritzsystems, die Umsetzung der Masnahmen der Niederdruck-Abgasruckfuhrung und der Zylinderdruckregelung berichtet, die ausschlaggebend fur die Verbesserung der Rohemissionen, die Einengung der Emissionsstreubreite und fur die Robustheit des Motorarbeitsverfahrens sind. Nachfolgend wird die Entwicklung der NOx-Nachbehandlung beschrieben und auf die Regelung des Gesamtsystems uber ein neuartiges Betriebsartensystem sowie auf die OBD-Funktionalitat eingegangen.
Fragmentation patterns of circulating cell-free DNA demonstrate biomarker potential for human cancers

The often-dismal clinical outcomes for most cancers are due to the fact that cancer patients diagnosed at advanced stages would miss the opportunities for curative treatments or effective treatments no longer available for these patients (1). Therefore, lacking clinically proven and convenient tools for early detection of cancers has been one major contributor to the poor clinical outcomes for many human cancers. In particular, considering their non-invasiveness and clinical relevance, the past decade has witnessed significant efforts of exploring patient-derived biofluids (i.e., liquid biopsy) in cancer biomarker discovery.
Behind the Final Grade in Hybrid v. Traditional Courses: Comparing Student Performance by Assessment Type, Core Competency, and Course Objective

There are many different delivery methods used by institutions of higher education. These include traditional, hybrid, and online course offerings. The comparisons of these typically use final grade as the measure of student performance. This research study looks behind the final grade and compares student performance by assessment type, core competency, and course objective. The statistical conclusions showed that hybrid course delivery could produce similar if not better results than traditional delivery. In addition, students performed significantly higher in assignments, critical thinking, written communications, and the advanced course objectives. Surprisingly, there appeared to be little if any impact on group projects and teamwork skills in the hybrid sections. Therefore, this study supports the hybrid delivery method for courses with similar course components.
The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Phenotype Viewed Through the Prism of Multimodality Imaging: Clinical and Etiologic Implications

Highlights •HCM is a genetic heart disease with enormously diverse phenotypic expression. •The multimodality, complementary imaging approach is necessary to characterize HCM morphology completely and has direct impact on future clinical course and treatment strategies. •Contemporary imaging interwoven with current treatment strategies has resulted in substantially reduced mortality with extended longevity and good quality of life for the vast majority of patients with HCM.