cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Information Sharing, Holdup, and External Finance: Evidence from Private Firms

To mitigate holdup by an informed incumbent lender, a private borrower may publicly share information in order to increase lender competition. Despite proprietary costs, a subset of private borrowers voluntarily share private information in loan and credit underwriting agreements. These borrowers switch lenders at a 16% higher rate and receive lower loan financing costs. For private firms that go public, we analyze changes in the net benefits of information sharing and study the potential estimation bias from unobservable borrower quality. This setting corroborates our inference that voluntary information sharing reduces lender holdup and alleviates financial constraints for private firms. Received May 25, 2017; editorial decision August 8, 2018 by Editor David Denis.
College student attitudes towards campus gun carrying in the United States

Abstract While most college students opposed campus gun carrying in past U.S. studies, reasons for these views remained underexplored. This study examined the role of perceived safety. Data were collected with a web survey of 520 students across the U.S. Both open-ended and closed-ended items were included. On average, respondents disagreed that they would carry a gun on campus if policy permitted. This study found no empirical evidence of a significant association between perceived campus safety and intent to carry, or between perceived safety and perceptions of campus carry policies. Student responses to open-ended questions revealed themes in reasoning related to personal safety that were not otherwise apparent in the statistical data.
‘ It is a question of determination’ : a case study of monitoring and evaluation of integrated family planning services in urban areas of Togo

Background: Integrating family planning into postabortion and postpartum services can increase contraceptive use and decrease maternal and child death; however, little information exists on the monitoring and evaluation of such programs. This article draws on research completed by the EngenderHealth’s AgirPF project in three urban areas of Togo on the extent to which monitoring and evaluation systems of health services, which operated within the AgirPF project area in Togo, captured integrated family planning services. Methods: This mixed methods case study used 25 health facility assessments with health service record review in hospitals, large community clinics, a dispensary, and private clinics and 41 key informant interviews with health faculty, individuals working at reproductive health organizations, individuals involved in reproductive health policy and politics, health care workers, and health facility directors. Results: The study found the reporting system for health care was labor intensive and involved multiple steps for health care workers. The system lacked a standardized method to record family planning services as part of other health care at the patient level, yet the Ministry of Health required integrated family planning services to be reported on district and partner organization reporting forms. Key informants suggested improving the system by using computer-based monitoring, streamlining the reporting process to include all necessary information at the patient level, and standardizing what information is needed for the Ministry of Health and partner organizations. Conclusion: Future research should focus on assessing the best methods for recording integrated health services and task shifting of reporting. Recommendations for future policy and programming include consolidating data for reproductive health indicators, ensuring type of information needed is captured at all levels, and reducing provider workload for reporting.
Gender as Potential Moderator of Associations Among Trauma Exposure, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, and Alcohol Use Disorder Symptoms in Young Adults

Traumatic events (TEs), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms can significantly impair functioning, yet little is known about whether associations among these variables differ between men and women within young adult samples. The current study conducted a path analysis of archival, longitudinal data from the Drug Use Trajectories: Ethnic/Racial Comparisons 1998-2002 (DUT) study (Turner, 2011) to examine gender differences as a possible moderator of the relations between TEs, PTSD symptoms, and AUD symptoms among 1,076 young adults (aged 18-23 years) residing in South Florida. The sample included 580 male (53.9%) and 496 female (46.1%) participants, whose ethnicity was self-reported as African American (n = 280, 26.0%), non-Hispanic White (n = 268, 24.9%), other Hispanic (n = 267, 24.8%), and Cuban (n = 261, 24.3%). Significant positive associations were found between TEs and PTSD symptoms, βs = .08-.30; PTSD and AUD symptoms, βs = .09 - .10; PTSD symptoms over time, β = .52; and AUD symptoms over time, β = .46. In addition, for male but not female participants, a higher frequency of PTSD symptoms at Wave I was related to more AUD symptoms at Wave II, β = .09. Findings build upon existing research to further elucidate the role of gender as a potential moderator of the associations among TEs, PTSD symptoms, and AUD symptoms for young adults and provide important implications for future research and clinical practice, including informing mental health prevention and treatment efforts.
Understanding the patient perspective after ventral hernia repair.

More than 350,000 ventral hernia repairs are performed in the U.S. each year. However, long-term quality of life of patients living with hernia repair is less known. Follow-up using patient-reported outcomes (measures) is an important representation of the patient experience and can inform quality improvements of hernia treatments. This study aims to understand the patients’ experience after ventral hernia repair, to enhance quality of care and long-term hernia treatment outcomes. To better understand long-term outcomes of ventral hernia repair and to enhance an existing PRO tool, two rounds of semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted. In total, 22 patients who had ventral hernia repair were enrolled. The patient perspectives obtained were grouped into themes to inform the further development of the PRO tool. Data were transcribed and analyzed using atlas.ti and Microsoft Word. Ten major themes were identified in this analysis. Patients’ quality of life was impacted by hernia repairs and hernia recurrences, including chronic pain, effects on daily activities and social relationships, and the challenge in finding new treatments. The lack of provider–patient communication and patient understanding of hernia repairs highlighted the need for providing patients with more comprehensive information regarding repair options and outcomes prior to surgery. PRO assessments and meaningful communications between the physician and the patient can provide a comprehensive benefit–risk assessment prior to surgery, and may also improve patient understanding of what to expect during recovery from surgery.
Self-Reported Guilt Among Adult Siblings of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

As more siblings become responsible for their aging brothers and sisters with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it becomes increasingly important to understand these siblings' emotional needs, including potential negative emotions such as guilt. This study examined the presence and correlates of self-reported guilt among 1,021 adult siblings of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Respondents completed the Adult Sibling Questionnaire, a national survey examining characteristics of adult health, depression, and feelings of guilt. Over 50% of siblings reported feeling increased guilt. Siblings who experienced increased guilt (versus those who did not) experienced less close sibling relationships, more depressive symptoms, and lower levels of well-being. Siblings experiencing more guilt also had brothers/sisters with more severe emotional/behavioral problems.
Technology Evolution to Enable High-Performance Cubesat Radiometry Missions

The Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission was selected by NASA as part of the Earth VentureInstrument (EVI-3) program and is now in development with planned launch readiness in late 2019. TROPICS comprises a constellation of six CubeSats in three low-Earth low-inclination orbital planes. Each CubeSat will host a high performance radiometer to provide temperature profiles using seven channels near the 118.75 GHz oxygen absorption line, water vapor profiles using three channels near the 183 GHz water vapor absorption line, imagery in a single channel near 90 GHz for precipitation measurements (when combined with higher resolution water vapor channels), and a single channel at 205 GHz that is more sensitive to precipitation-sized ice particles. The instrumentation that will fly on this mission has benefitted greatly from several technology development efforts funded by the NASA Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO). This paper provides an overview of these development and demonstration efforts and shows how these enabling technologies are planned for use for the TROPICS mission that will illuminate a new set of science questions relating to tropical cyclone formation, evolution, and forecasting.
Disagreement between guidelines regarding the third step of asthma drug therapy for school-age children

Abstract With the help of a routine clinical case, we highlighted the difference between two of the best asthma guidelines available at the time regarding therapeutic suggestions for the so-called “third step” for school-age asthmatic children. We have analyzed the scientific evidence that each of the two guidelines brings to support their position. Finally, we have motivatedly solved the clinical scenario. However, the question of disagreement between two guidelines remains unresolved. This can lead to unjustified differences in the management of schoolchildren with persistent asthma.
Health Care Provider Practices and Perceptions During Family-Centered Rounds With Limited English-Proficient Families

Abstract Objective To increase understanding of current practices and perceptions of family-centered rounds (FCR) by providers for limited English-proficient (LEP) families relative to English-proficient families. Methods Using grounded theory methodology, we conducted ethnographic observations of FCR for LEP and English-proficient families on the pediatric wards at an urban teaching hospital. Focused coding of observation fieldnotes was performed independently, followed by regular group meetings to discuss discrepancies, refine codes, and identify theoretical direction. Data informed development of an interview guide used to conduct interviews with pediatric physicians, nurses, and interpreters. The iterative analysis process continued with interview transcriptions. Results FCR of 36 unique patient families were observed, of which 10 were LEP families. We conducted 20 interviews with 7 residents, 3 attendings, 5 nurses, and 5 interpreters. Major themes included: 1) standardization of FCR is needed to address equity issues for LEP families, 2) redefining the roles of medical interpreters would enhance the interpersonal interactions and relationships between families and health care providers, and 3) improving resources to allow interpreters to be used consistently will increase equity for LEP families. Conclusions Many differences exist in FCR for LEP versus English-proficient families. FCR for LEP families may be optimized with standardization and training, redefining the interpreters’ roles, and improving access to interpreters.
Understanding the Pathophysiology of Thrombotic APS through Animal Models.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a leading acquired cause of thrombotic events, with a notable tendency to promote thrombosis in vascular beds of all sizes, including both arterial and venous circuits. While pathogenic antiphospholipid antibodies circulate at relatively stable levels in blood, thrombosis tends to manifest as discrete and acute events, suggesting the requirement for a “second hit.” While this two-hit model is generally accepted, much remains to be learned about exactly how antiphospholipid antibodies predispose to thrombosis in vivo and exactly how this predisposition interacts with the second hit. To this end, investigators have turned to animal models. Numerous approaches for modeling APS in animals have been described to date, each with potential advantages and disadvantages. This review will attempt to describe the most common APS models employed so far while discussing some pros and cons of each. Mechanisms of thrombotic APS that have thus far been explored in animal models will also be briefly addressed.
A cost-effective chart review sampling design to account for phenotyping error in electronic health records (EHR) data.

OBJECTIVES Electronic health records (EHR) are commonly used for the identification of novel risk factors for disease, often referred to as an association study. A major challenge to EHR-based association studies is phenotyping error in EHR-derived outcomes. A manual chart review of phenotypes is necessary for unbiased evaluation of risk factor associations. However, this process is time-consuming and expensive. The objective of this paper is to develop an outcome-dependent sampling approach for designing manual chart review, where EHR-derived phenotypes can be used to guide the selection of charts to be reviewed in order to maximize statistical efficiency in the subsequent estimation of risk factor associations. MATERIALS AND METHODS After applying outcome-dependent sampling, an augmented estimator can be constructed by optimally combining the chart-reviewed phenotypes from the selected patients with the error-prone EHR-derived phenotype. We conducted simulation studies to evaluate the proposed method and applied our method to data on colon cancer recurrence in a cohort of patients treated for a primary colon cancer in the Kaiser Permanente Washington (KPW) healthcare system. RESULTS Simulations verify the coverage probability of the proposed method and show that, when disease prevalence is less than 30%, the proposed method has smaller variance than an existing method where the validation set for chart review is uniformly sampled. In addition, from design perspective, the proposed method is able to achieve the same statistical power with 50% fewer charts to be validated than the uniform sampling method, thus, leading to a substantial efficiency gain in chart review. These findings were also confirmed by the application of the competing methods to the KPW colon cancer data. DISCUSSION Our simulation studies and analysis of data from KPW demonstrate that, compared to an existing uniform sampling method, the proposed outcome-dependent method can lead to a more efficient chart review sampling design and unbiased association estimates with higher statistical efficiency. CONCLUSION The proposed method not only optimally combines phenotypes from chart review with EHR-derived phenotypes but also suggests an efficient design for conducting chart review, with the goal of improving the efficiency of estimated risk factor associations using EHR data.
Failure of Concentric Regulatory Zones to Halt the Spread of COVID-19 in South Brooklyn, New York: October-November 2020 (preprint)

We relied on reports of confirmed case incidence and test positivity, along with data on the movements of devices with location-tracking software, to evaluate a novel scheme of three concentric regulatory zones introduced by then New York Governor Cuomo to address an outbreak of COVID-19 in South Brooklyn in the fall of 2020. The regulatory scheme imposed differential controls on access to eating places, schools, houses of worship, large gatherings and other businesses within the three zones, but without restrictions on mobility. Within the central red zone, COVID-19 incidence temporarily declined from 131.2 per 100,000 population during the week ending October 3 to 62.5 per 100,000 by the week ending October 31, but then rebounded to 153.6 per 100,000 by the week ending November 28. Within the intermediate orange and peripheral yellow zones combined, incidence steadily rose from 28.8 per 100,000 during the week ending October 3 to 109.9 per 100,000 by the week ending November 28. Data on device visits to pairs of eating establishments straddling the red-orange boundary confirmed compliance with access controls. More general analysis of device movements showed stable patterns of mobility between and beyond zones unaffected by the Governor's orders. A geospatial regression model of COVID-19 incidence in relation to device movements across zip code tabulation areas identified a cluster of five high-mobility ZCTAs with estimated reproduction number 1.91 (95% confidence interval, 1.27-2.55). In the highly populous area of South Brooklyn, controls on access alone, without restrictions on mobility, were inadequate to halt an advancing COVID-19 outbreak.
OBJECTIVES OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REGULATION

This Article explores the objectives of financial disclosure regulation as they have evolved in the legislative history and academic debate of the United States, Switzerland, and Germany The Article reviews traditional purposes such as investor protection, market efficiency and corporate governance, as well as broader public policy considerations. Bv paying particular attention to characteristic elements of national corporate and financial sectors, and to national regulatoiv models, the study attempts a first step toward an "integrated" view of the objectives of financial disclosure rules.
Technologies to Assure Privacy, Security and Trust

We’ve repeatedly emphasized that successful management of chronic diseases in our highly specialized and fragmented healthcare system requires digital data that can be shared to coordinate care. However, patient-specific healthcare data is highly sensitive and is protected by HIPAA which calls for severe penalties for failures to properly secure so-called protected health information (PHI).
Project-based Service-Learning in an Instructional Technology Graduate Program

The stu dy focused on the critical incidents that occurred to instructional design students when they were involved in project-based service-learning as part of a curriculum that lead to a master’s degree. The study provided an illustration that the workplace application of skills, knowledge, and understanding are enhanced through utilization. Students worked with local nonprofit agencies to provide instructional support ranging from needs assessments to delivery of course content. Results indicated that project-based service learning was an effective tool for promoting greater learning. The importance of learning thro ugh active participation and reflection was supported, and by extending learning beyond the classroom, students were able to apply their knowledge in ways that transformed their learning experience and fostered a sense of caring about others.
Rules, Principles, and the Competition to Enforce the Securities Laws

Though the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is the primary securities enforcer, multiple enforcers are active in enforcing the securities laws. Some scholars argue that enforcement should be centralized to eliminate or control enforcers with incentives to overenforce, while others contend that competition checks the SEC from a tendency to underenforce. The debate is characterized by a focus on whether the system produces an optimal quantity of enforcement. This Article assesses the centralization debate through a different lens, emphasizing differences in the quality of enforcement, particularly the values that influence and are expressed by enforcement. To frame the discussion, it draws a distinction between two categories of enforcement: rule-enforcement and principle-enforcement. Rule-enforcement is less costly and controversial than principle-enforcement because specific rules tend to reflect the technical requirements of an administrative regime while general principles can reflect a wider range of values. Enforcers differ in their approach in taking on the cost and controversy of principle-enforcement. Industry enforcers are likely to interpret principles narrowly based on industry values. Regulatory enforcers such as the SEC may find it difficult to adequately enforce principles because of the pressure of implementing consistent regulatory policy. Public-values enforcers such as federal prosecutors and state attorneys general are willing to enforce principles in light of social values but may overreach because of political ambition. Entrepreneurial enforcers such as class action attorneys are most willing to invest in principle-enforcement but also have a tendency to bring questionable cases for profit. The choice between a centralized and decentralized enforcement system is fundamentally a choice between a one-dimensional and multidimensional conception of the values relevant to securities enforcement. Proposals to centralize securities enforcement are motivated by a desire to eliminate the conflicts that can arise between enforcement approaches that reflect different values. The cost of such centralization is that the advantages diverse enforcers bring to the table will be eliminated. This Article concludes that a decentralized system is best justified by recognizing the particular strengths of different enforcers rather than focusing on whether an optimal amount of enforcement is produced.
Hermite distributions associated to the group $O(p,q)$

We calculate the tempered O(p, q)-invariant eigendistributions of the O(p, q)-invariant Hermite operator − 1 2 (∆x − ∆y) + 12 (|x|2 − |y|2) (x ∈ R, y ∈ R). They are singular on the cone |x| = |y| and are given elsewhere in terms of confluent hypergeometric functions. Suppose p and q are positive integers. We consider the quadratic form
Self-organized growth of alloy superlattices

We predict theoretically and demonstrate experimentally the spontaneous formation of a superlattice during crystal growth. When a strained alloy grows by "step flow", the steps at the surface form periodic bunches. The resulting modulated strain biases the incorporation of the respective alloy components at different steps in the bunch, leading to the formation of a superlattice. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy for SiGe grown on Si give clear evidence for such spontaneous superlattice formation.
Use of transposon TnphoA to identify genes for cell envelope proteins of Escherichia coli required for long-chain fatty acid transport: the periplasmic protein Tsp potentiates long-chain fatty acid transport.

Abstract TnphoA was used to mutagenize the chromosome in an effort to identify membrane-bound and exported components of the long-chain fatty acid transport system of Escherichia coli. This strategy identified three classes of fusions that were unable to grow or grew at reduced rates on minimal agar plates containing the long-chain fatty acid oleate (C18:1), (i) fadL-phoA, (ii) tolC-phoA, and (iii) tsp-phoA, fadL-phoA and tolC-phoA fusions were unable to grow on oleate as the sole carbon and energy source, while the tsp-phoA fusion had a markedly reduced growth rate. As expected, fadL-phoA fusions were unable to grow on oleate plates because the outer membrane-bound fatty acid transport protein FadL was defective. The identification of multiple fadL-phoa fusions demonstrated that this strategy of mutagenesis specifically targeted membrane-bound and exported components required for growth on long-chain fatty acids. tolC-phoA fusions were sensitive to fatty acids (particularly medium chain) and thus unable to grow, whereas the reduced growth rate of tsp-phoA fusions on oleate was apparently due to changes in the energized state of the outer membrane or inner membrane. tsp-phoA fusions transported the long-chain fatty acid oleate at only 50% of wild-type levels when cells were energized with 1 mM DL-lactate. Under conditions in which transport was measured in the absence of lactate, tsp-phoA fusion strains and wild-type strains had the same levels of oleate transport. The tsp+ clone pAZA500 was able to restore wild-type transport activity to the tsp-phoA strain under lactate-energized conditions. These results indicate that the periplasmic protein Tsp potentiates long-chain fatty acid transport.
Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Reduction of Metal Cation-Containing Polymer Films to Produce Electrically Conductive Nanocomposites by an Electrodiffusion Mechanism

We describe an atmospheric-pressure plasma process for the reduction of metal cation-containing polymer films to form electrically conductive patterns. Thin films of poly(acrylic) acid (PAA) containing silver ions (Ag+) were prepared by mixing the polymer with silver nitrate (AgNO3) in solution to produce a cross-linked precipitate, homogenizing, and depositing onto a substrate by doctor’s blade. Exposing the Ag–PAA films to a scanning microplasma resulted in reduction of the bulk dispersed Ag+ in a desired pattern at the film surface. The processed films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and current–voltage measurements. The resistances of the patterned features were found to depend on the thickness of the films, the microplasma scan rate, residual solvent in the film, and electric field created between the microplasma and the substrate. Together these results show that the formation of conductive features occurs via an electrodiffusion process where Ag+ diffuses from the film bulk to the surface to be reduced by the microplasma.
Abstract 455: Systemic, But Not Smooth Muscle Cell-Specific, TGF-β Blockade Exacerbates Angiotensin II-Induced Abdominal Aortic Pathology

Objectives: The role of TGF-β signaling in adult vascular homeostasis and aortic aneurysm formation is controversial. Some studies report an association between aneurysm formation and evidence of increased TGF-β signaling in the aortic media; other studies report that TGF-β signaling is critical for adult aortic homeostasis and protects against aortic aneurysm growth. Data supporting a protective effect of TGF-β signaling were reported in the mouse model of Ang II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, it is unclear whether this protection is conferred by systemic or SMC-specific actions of TGF-β. Based on data that emphasize a salutary role for TGF-β signaling in SMCs, we hypothesized that TGF-β signaling protects the adult aorta from Ang II-induced AAA by actions on medial SMC. Methods: We compared the incidence and severity of AAA among 3 groups of Ang II-infused mice (4 wk infusion of 1000 ng/kg/min; n = 25/group). Groups included: 1) no TGF-β signaling blockade (control); 2) systemic antib...
Biochemical characterization of topoisomerase I purified from avian erythrocytes

Abstract A type I topoisomerase has been purified from avian erythrocyte nuclei. The most pure fraction contains one major polypeptide of Mr = 105,000 (80% of total) and several minor ones of lower molecular weight. Active forms of the topoisomerase were identified by covalently binding the enzyme to 32P-DNA, digesting with nuclease and detecting 32P labeled peptides by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Topoisomerase activity, as measured by the ability to covalently bind DNA, is associated with the following peptides: Mr = 105, 83, 54 and 30,000. The similar chromatographic properties of the various forms of topoisomerase suggests a common structural identity as previously proposed for the HeLa topoisomerase I (Liu, L.F. and Miller, K.G. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78, 3487-3491). The avian enzyme is similar to other eucaryotic type I DNA topoisomerases in that it covalently binds double and single stranded DNA forming an enzyme linked to the 3'-phosphoryl end and after binding to single stranded DNA it can transfer the single stranded donor DNA to an acceptor DNA possessing 5'-OH end groups. The binding site size of topoisomerase on DNA has also been determined using micrococcal nuclease to digest unprotected DNA in the native enzyme/DNA complex. The enzyme blocks access to the helix over a span of 25 bp. These findings are discussed in light of the distribution and function of topoisomerase I in chromatin.
Relationship between feed intake, feeding behaviors, performance, and ultrasound carcass measurements in growing purebred Angus and Hereford bulls

The objectives of this study were to examine the growth, DMI, and feeding behaviors of Angus and Hereford bulls; identify the relationships between feeding behaviors and variation in DMI and residual feed intake (RFI); and determine the value of feeding behaviors in predicting DMI. Individual DMI was measured in Angus bulls (n=189; initial BW=427±3.4 kg) and Hereford bulls (n=146; initial BW=411±4.1 kg) fed a grower ration for 71 d in 2009, 78 d in 2010, and 74 d in 2011 using a GrowSafe intake monitoring system. Feeding frequency (FF, meals/d), head down duration (HDD, s/d), head down duration per meal (HDDM, HDD/FF, s/meal), average meal size [AMS, kg/(meal·d)], and feeding rate (FR, g/s) were also measured or calculated using behavior data collected by the GrowSafe system. Ultrasound measures of 12th-rib fat thickness (UFT), longissimus muscle area (ULMA), and intramuscular fat (IMF) were determined during the midtest-weight event of every trial. The data from 3 yr were pooled to generate mean differences between the breeds. Residual feed intake was calculated using a linear regression of DMI on ADG and midtest BW0.75 (MMWT). Animals were classified into 3 RFI groups based on their RFI score as Low (>0.5 SD below the mean), Average (±0.5 SD from the mean), or High RFI (>0.5 SD above the mean). Angus bulls in the Low RFI group consumed 17% (P<0.0001) less DM than the bulls in the High RFI group, while in the Hereford bulls there was a 14% (P<0.0001) difference in DMI between Low and High RFI groups. Significant phenotypic correlations were observed between RFI and DMI (0.83, 0.77), G:F (-0.65, -0.51), HDD (0.41, 0.59), HDDM (0.40, 0.53), AMS (0.52, 0.36), and FR (-0.31, -0.51) in Angus and Hereford bulls, respectively. The HDD, HDDM, and FR were significantly correlated with DMI. The feeding behavior traits, HDD, HDDM, and FR when added to the RFI base model, explained 18, 17, and 13%, respectively, of the variation in DMI not explained by ADG and MMWT in Angus bulls. Similarly, in Hereford bulls, HDD, HDDM, and FR explained 35, 26, and 24%, respectively, of the variation in DMI not explained by ADG and MMWT. These data suggest that feeding behaviors are related to DMI of growing Angus and Hereford bulls.
Premarital Sexual Standards and Sociosexuality: Gender, Ethnicity, and Cohort Differences

In this article, we present results from a “cohort-longitudinal” analysis of sexual attitudes and behaviors based on a large sample of young adults (N = 7,777) obtained from a university setting over a 23-year period. We investigated gender, ethnicity, and cohort differences in sexual permissiveness, endorsement of the double standard, and sociosexuality. Compared to women, men had more permissive attitudes, particularly about sex in casual relationships, endorsed the double standard to a greater degree, and had a more unrestricted sociosexuality. Black men were generally more permissive than White, Hispanic, and Asian men, whereas ethnic differences were not found among women. Participants from the 1995–1999 cohort were slightly less permissive than those from the 1990–1994 and 2005–2012 cohorts. Although prior meta-analytic studies (e.g., Petersen & Hyde, 2010) found reduced gender differences in sexuality over time, our cohort analyses suggest that gender differences in sexual permissiveness have not changed over the past two decades among college students.
Utility of the Delta-T Theta Probe for Obtaining Surface Moisture Measurements from Beaches

Abstract Recent studies have employed a new device to measure beach “surface” moisture content, the Delta-T Theta probe. A key weakness of the device for this application is that the sensor length (6.0 cm) exceeds the desirable depth for “surface” measurements in the context of coastal-aeolian processes. This study investigated the reliability of the Delta-T Theta probe when modified to restrict measurement depths to 0.5–1.5 cm. Field investigations were conducted at two beaches in Texas and North Carolina to allow assessment of the influence of different sediment sizes. Results demonstrated that sensor output becomes less sensitive as the sensor length is decreased. However, R2 values reveal very strong relationships between probe output and laboratory-measured moisture content, with virtually all sampling runs exceeding 0.90. Further, although the standard error approximately doubled (from ±1% to ±2%) for the modified versions of the probe, the error remained within the accuracy ranges reported in the l...
Air pollutant transport in a coastal environment—II. Three-dimensional simulations over Los Angeles basin

Abstract The: air quality problems in the Los Angeles basin are related to the local climate. A strong temperature inversion and stagnant synoptic conditions associated with the Pacific high-pressure system favor the generation of severe air pollution episodes. Sea-breezes and mountain-induced flows play an important role: in controlling pollutant transport over the basin. The distributions of pollutants over the basin display complicated three-dimensional patterns, including distinct elevated layers. A three-dimensional meteorological model is used to simulate air flow patterns and pollutant transport in the Los Angeles basin under such conditions. The complex simulated flows are analyzed to explain the origin of the observed pollution layers. Pollutants found in the afternoon mixed layer may be dispersed to three different regions: the high desert to the east and north of the Los Angeles basin; the free troposphere above the temperature inversion; and within the temperature inversion layer itself. Several mechanisms transfer pollution into the inversion layer. Convergence zones in the San Fernando Valley and near Lake Elsinore lift polluted air into the inversion. A coupled sea-bree~eymountain-flow circulation along the southwest flank of the Santa Ana Mts creates pollution layers that extend westward over the coastal plain and offshore. The afternoon pollution layers frequently observed in the western Los Angeles basin are caused by the sea-breeze circulation or the coupled sea-breeze/mountain-flow circulation over the south slope of the San Gabriel Nlts. As the boundary layer stabilizes during the early evening, layers of polluted air are left suspended over the eastern basin. Pollutants trapped in the inversion layer act as a reservoir of poor-quality air for the basin, and may contribute to extreme pollutant concentrations seen after several days of stagnant air.
A Global Perspective on Large Carnivore Conservation

The recent reintroduction of the gray wolf (Canis lupus) to Yellowstone signifies a constructive change, but the overall record in the United States on large carnivore conservation remains poor. Many developing countries are determined to do a better job of conserving predators, including their critical habitat and prey populations. We describe current efforts to protect tigers (Panther tigris), jaguars (Panthera onca), and large-scale forest habitat in Asia, Central America, and Africa. These initiatives take a comprehensive approach that includes biological field research, the identification of local human interests, and a growing recognition of the need for cooperation across political lines. Though often supported by U.S. technical assistance, this international experience could be used better to inform and improve carnivore conservation efforts in North America. Failure to improve our domestic performance or to fully appreciate the contributions of far less developed countries could weaken global efforts to maintain and restore populations of large carnivores. La reciente reintroduccion del lobo en el Parque Nacional Yellowstone marca un cambio constructivo; sin embargo, el patron general de los Estados Unidos en conservacion de los grandes carnivores es pobre. La determinacion de muchos de Ios paises en desarrollo en la conservacion de los depredadores es mucho mas fuerte, incluyendo esfuerzos para la conservacion de habitat critico y poblaciones de presas. Se describen los esfuerzos que actualmente se estan haciendo para proteger tigres, jaguares y habitats boscosos de gran escala en Asia, America Central y Africa. Estas iniciativas tienen un enfoque amplio, que incluye investigaciones biologicas de campo, identificacion de intereses humanos locales, y el reconocimiento creciente de que se necesita cooperacion por encima de las lineas politicas. Aunque muchas veces apoyada por ayuda tecnica de los Estados Unidos, esta experiencia internacional puede ayudar a informar y mejorar la conservacion de los carnivoros en los Estados Unidos. Asi mismo, el no mejorar neustra situacion local, o el no apreciar las contribuciones de aquellas naciones menos desarrolladas, puede debilitar los esfuerzos globales para mantener y restaurar las poblaciones de grandes carnivoros.
ALCOHOL INTOXICATION AND SERUM OSMOLALITY

The relation between serum osmolality and blood-alcohol was studied prospectively in 565 acute trauma patients. The two measurements were closely correlated. It is therefore possible to estimate the blood-alcohol from serum osmolality to assist in the clinical management of acutely injured patients.
Does Watching Smoking in Movies Promote Teenage Smoking

Compared to adolescents with low exposure to smoking in movies, those with high exposure are about three times as likely to try smoking or become smokers. We have observed this effect in nationally representative samples using cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. This effect remains statistically significant after controlling for numerous other traditional risk factors, such as personality, parenting style, and sociodemographics. Indeed, the movie-smoking exposure effect on adolescent smoking initiation is greatest among those traditionally considered at lower risk for smoking, such as those low in sensation seeking and those whose parents do not smoke. In this article, we consider possible moderators and mediators of this important media effect as well as health-policy implications. The take-home message is that eliminating smoking in movies may prevent a substantial number of adolescents from smoking.
Effect of Hydroxyurea on Staphylococcus epidermidis and Micrococcus lysodeikticus: Thickening of the Cell Wall

Hydroxyurea-sensitive strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Micrococcus lysodeikticus showed marked thickening of cell walls and reduction in deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis when grown in the presence of hydroxyurea.
Nucleotide sequence of a bovine lens αA-crystallin cDNA

Abstract We have determined the nucleotide sequence of a bovine lens αA2-crystallin cDNA clone, designated pBLαA2-1. The 793 bp cDNA insert contains coding information for the entire 173 amino acid αA2-crystallin polypeptide, as well as nontranslated sequences located both upstream and downstream from the coding region. The coding sequences contained in pBLαA2-1 are at least 89% homologous with the corresponding sequences from other mammalian αA-crystallin genes, and are 78% homologous to the frog αA-crystallin coding region. In contrast, the downstream nontranslated sequences of the mammalian αA-crystallin transcripts show much greater sequence divergence, with the bovine sequences averaging 47% homology with the corresponding sequences from other mammalian species.
Statistical control of control-affine nonlinear systems with nonquadratic cost functions: HJB and verification theorems

In statistical control, the cost function is viewed as a random variable and one optimizes the distribution of the cost function through the cost cumulants. We consider a statistical control problem for a control-affine nonlinear system with a nonquadratic cost function. Using the Dynkin formula, the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation for the nth cost moment case is derived as a necessary condition for optimality and corresponding sufficient conditions are also derived. Utilizing the nth moment results, the higher order cost cumulant Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations are derived. In particular, we derive HJB equations for the second, third, and fourth cost cumulants. Even though moments and cumulants are similar mathematically, in control engineering higher order cumulant control shows a greater promise in contrast to cost moment control. We present the solution for a control-affine nonlinear system using the derived Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation, which we solve numerically using a neural network method.
Body mass index in elementary school children, metropolitan area food prices and food outlet density

Summary Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association between food prices and food outlet density and changes in the body mass index (BMI) among elementary school children in the USA. Methods: The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study followed a nationally representative sample of kindergarten children over 4 years. We merged individual-level data to (a) metropolitan data on food prices and (b) per capita number of restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores in the child’s home and school zip code. The dependent variables were BMI changes over 1 and 3 years. We analysed mean changes with least-squares regression, and median changes and 85th percentile changes with quantile regression. We controlled for baseline BMI, age, real family income and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Lower real prices for vegetables and fruits were found to predict a significantly lower gain in BMI between kindergarten and third grade; half of that effect was found between kindergarten and first grade. Lower meat prices had the opposite effect, although this effect was generally smaller in magnitude and was insignificant for BMI gain over 3 years. Differences across subgroups were not statistically significant due to smaller sample sizes in subgroup analyses, but the estimated effects were meaningfully larger for children in poverty, children already at risk for overweight or overweight in kindergarten, and Asian and Hispanic children. There were no significant effects for dairy or fast-food prices, nor for outlet density, once we had controlled for individual characteristics and random intercepts to adjust standard errors for the sampling design. Discussion: The geographic variation in fruit and vegetable prices is large enough to explain a meaningful amount of the differential gain in BMI among elementary school children across metropolitan areas. However, as consumption information was not
Effects of hydrogen on micro-twinning in a FeTiC alloy

Abstract In this study, it was observed that concurrent straining in the presence of a hydrogen concentration above a threshold value, or by high fugacity cathodic charging in the absence of external stress enhances twinning in the FeTiC alloy system. The twins observed have lamellar or prismatic shapes, with a crystallography consistent with that expected in b.c.c. crystals. The prismatic twins are bounded by {112} coherent interfaces with a co-zonal axis along a 〈111〉 twinning direction and incoherent boundaries at the ends. This study further supports the occurrence of hydrogen-induced plastic instability in metals. Micro auto-radiography technique has shown that the twin/matrix interfaces and TiC particles are strong traps for hydrogen.
The Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility: accuracy of self-report and the memory for items.

Abstract Whereas early studies have found moderately high agreement between self- and observer-rated scores on the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:A), these studies shared a common confound in that participants were aware of being directly observed. In the present study, confederates made surreptitious observations of group participants’ hypnotic responding. Following the hypnotic procedure, participants indicated whether or not they remembered each item and provided self-reports of their hypnotic response. The study assesses the accuracy of participant self-report for hypnosis items when individuals are unaware of being observed. Thirty-two percent of participants failed to recognize at least one item from the hypnosis session, suggesting that the inability to remember items is a common phenomenon. When participants reported not remembering an item, the accuracy of their self-reported response was no better than chance. We wish to thank Krista Moe for her help in editing and...
Native women and cancer.

Literature regarding cancer patterns in American Indians and Alaska Native women is reviewed and attention is paid to promising research initiatives to improve cancer prevention and control as well as approaches to enhance exchange of knowledge through a new national resource center. Lung, breast, and colorectal cancer are the leading cause of cancer deaths in American Indians and Alaska Native women. There continues to be a disproportionate death rate from cervical cancer. Enhanced availability for breast and cervical cancer screening in conjunction with community education is showing promising trends toward reversing the patterns of late diagnosis. Communities can benefit from sharing their collective resources in a new national resource center called ''Native C.I.R.C.L.E.'' housed in the Mayo Cancer Center.
Porters of the eastern hills of Nepal: Body size and load weight

This study documents the activities of 635 porters transporting goods along three traditional trade routes of eastern Nepal. Nearly 95% of the porters were male. They ranged in age from 10-65 years, and most of them had begun to perform long-distance portage at 12-15 years of age. Mean body mass and height of adult males in the combined sample (n = 438) was 49.7 +/- 5.0 kg and 155.5 +/- 6.5 cm, respectively. Adult males age 20-49 years carried loads of 73 +/- 15 kg, equivalent to 146% +/- 30% of body mass. Body size of adult males was not a strong predictor of load weight. The correlation between body mass and load was r = 0.24 (P < 0.0001), and between height and load was r = 0.16 (P < 0.001). Another significant determinant of load weight was whether the load was carried for profit or for domestic use. The most reasonable explanation for the ability of Nepali porters to carry such large loads in spite of their small body size is the ability to pace themselves by making frequent rest stops. Heart rate monitoring of 26 adult male commercial porters demonstrated how porters regulate heart rate and energy expenditure by resting the load every two to three minutes on the T-headed walking stick (tokma) and by setting the load periodically on load-resting platforms (chautaras) for longer recovery periods. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 11:1-11, 1999. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.