cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Securities litigation, withdrawal risk and initial public offerings☆

Abstract I examine the relations between litigation risk, withdrawal risk, and the costs of going public using a sample of withdrawn and completed initial public offerings (IPOs) filed during 1996–2005. Firms with a higher probability of offer withdrawal face higher litigation risk if they complete these offers. Firms with higher litigation risk pay slightly higher gross spreads, but do not underprice their IPOs by a greater amount. Withdrawal probability is strongly and positively associated with underwriter gross spreads, consistent with underwriters charging fees that reflect the probability of not getting paid. When the pre-market demand for an IPO is weak, a higher withdrawal probability raises underpricing on completed deals.
How Auditor Legal Liability Influences the Detection and Frequency of Fraudulent Financial Reporting

SUMMARY: In today's legal environment, auditors who fail to detect fraud face potentially extreme liabilities because of the possibility of biased juries and other factors that can result in extreme legal liabilities for auditors. This paper summarizes a recent study (“The Impact of Audit Penalty Distributions on the Detection and Frequency of Fraudulent Reporting”; Burton et al. [2011]), which used an experimental economics research method to investigate how the legal liability for failing to detect fraud influences auditors' efforts to detect financial reporting fraud and auditees' commission of such fraud. The experiments show that a penalty system that is not subject to extreme legal liabilities for the auditor, but has the same expected value (i.e., average penalties) as a system that is subject to extreme liabilities, increases auditors' effort to detect fraud and decreases fraudulent reporting by auditees.
Consumers’ Understanding of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Insights into the Future

The purpose of this study was to examine consumers' knowledge and understanding of the 1995 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the sources from where consumers obtain their health information. A telephone survey was administered to 400 adults in the Twin Cities area in Minnesota. The number of guideline recommendations recalled per person was, on average, less than 2.5 of a total of 13 recommendations. Participants had difficulties interpreting the guidelines. Knowledge of the dietary fat guideline was especially poor. Only 17% of survey participants correctly stated the amount of total fat they should have in their diet. The total number of media sources used to obtain health information was the variable that best explained the variance in knowledge of the Dietary Guidelines recommendations. To effectively change dietary behavior, health educators must work effectively with the media to develop behavior-focused nutrition messages that are meaningful and clear to consumers.
Electrochemical measurements of mass transfer at surfaces with discrete reactive areas

The limiting current technique was used to measure area-averaged mass-transfer coefficients for surfaces containing many small reactive areas arranged in various patterns. Partially masked platinum electrodes were fabricated using photolithography, and mass-transfer measurements were performed with a rotating disk apparatus. The average mass-transfer coefficient was sensitive to the fraction of the electrode area exposed (e), declining from values near that for a fully exposed surface for e = 0.5 to less than 1% of the fully exposed value for e = 0.001. For any given e, the mass-transfer coefficient declined with increased spacing between reactive sites. The results were relatively insensitive to details of the site distribution, such as whether the sites were arranged in regular arrays (square or hexagonal lattices) or distributed randomly over the surface. For all conditions studied, the mass-transfer coefficient greatly exceeded that predicted by conventional models which apply the stagnant film approximation to the fluid surrounding a representative active site. This finding is qualitatively consistent with recent computational results, which suggest that convective transport enhances mass transfer at partially active surfaces to an extent not accounted for by adjustments in the effective film thickness.
Cervical synovial sarcoma.

A case of primary cervical synovial sarcoma is presented. This is the eleventh such case to be reported. The patient is alive and free of recurrent disease or metastases 10 years following surgical resection and radiotherapy. The literature pertaining to this problem is reviewed.
Raman-scattering studies of coupled modes and superconducting gap excitations in single-crystal YBa2Cu3O7-δ

The results of polarized light-scattering studies of single-crystal YBa2Cu3O7-δ are presented. In the normal state, strong electronic scattering is observed both directly and through interference effects with certain phonons. Below Tc this electronic scattering undergoes a redistribution that is due to gap formation. The redistribution of the continuum below Tc has a strong symmetry dependence, suggesting possible gap anisotropy in YBa2Cu3O7-δ. Phonon self-energy effects are also shown to be consistent with gap anisotropy. Finally, studies of untwinned single crystals illustrate striking optical anisotropy of the Raman spectra in the a–b plane.
The Drosophila tissue polarity gene inturned acts cell autonomously and encodes a novel protein

Mutations in the inturned (in) gene result in abnormal wing hair polarity and in many wing cells forming two or more hairs instead of the normal single hair. We have generated genetic mosaics in a number of different experiments and find that the in gene is required in all regions of the wing and that it functions in a cell autonomous fashion. We report the molecular cloning of the in gene, the molecular mapping of in mutations and the isolation and sequencing of an in cDNA clone. The in gene encodes a novel protein whose sequence suggests it will be membrane bound. The ability of an in cDNA, the expression of which is driven by the basal activity of the hsp70 promoter to rescue an in mutation suggests that patterned expression of in is unlikely to play a role in the function of the gene.
Buffer Layers for Highly Ordered L1 $_{0}$ FePt-Oxide Thin Film Granular Media at Reduced Processing Temperature

In this work, we present an experimental technique for obtaining highly ordered L10 FePt-oxide thin film media at moderate deposition temperatures. In most previous studies, a FePt-Oxide layer is directly deposited on a (001) textured MgO layer. By introducing a buffer layer in between the FePt-oxide layer and the MgO underlayer, we are able to substantially enhance the L10 ordering of the FePt-oxide layer while lowering the deposition temperature to 400 . The buffer layer also yields a significantly enhanced (001) texture of the formed L10 FePt structure. With the order parameter near unity, the coercivity of the resulting granular L10 FePt-oxide film exceeds 20 kOe with an average grain size about 8 nm. With the buffer layer technique, 18kOe coercivity has also been achieved for L10 FePt-oxide film at a grain size of about 4.5 nm. In this work, the detailed material composition choice of the buffer layers and the corresponding results are presented.
Diffusion barrier development for fiber-reinforced Ni3Al composites

An alumina (Al2O3) diffusion barrier coating to inhibit the interfacial reactions between boron-carbide-coated boron (B4C/B) fibers and a nickel-aluminide (Ni3Al) (IC-221) matrix was investigated. The alumina diffusion barrier was deposited on the B4C/B fibers using chemical vapor deposition. Also, Saphikon single-crystal Al2O3 fibers were used to demonstrate the compatibility between Al2O3 and Ni3Al. The detailed microstructures and chemical compositions of the fibers, coating, and matrix before and after various thermal exposures were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, and ion microprobe mass analysis. The interfacial reaction products present after 6 h at 980 °C were characterized, and Ni was found to be the dominant diffusion species. The alumina diffusion barrier shows promise for effectively inhibiting the deleterious reactions between B4C/B fibers and the Ni3Al matrix. The uncoated B4C/B fibers were consumed by the matrix after fabrication alone, whereas the Al2O3 coated fibers demonstrated resistance to the matrix for 25 h at 880 °C and 6 h at 980 °C. The Saphikon fiber-reinforced Ni3Al composites demonstrated excellent compatibility after 50 h at 1000 °C. Zirconium (Zr)-rich precipitates on the order of 2 μm in diameter formed at the fiber interface after this exposure, but no gross reaction was indicated between the fiber and the matrix.
Changes in sensitivity of Amaranthus retrof/exus L. seeds to ethylene during preincubation. I. Constant temperatures

Abstract. Germination responses of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) seeds to ethylene were determined at 25, 30, 35, or 40° C after preincubation at various temperatures (15–35° C) for different periods (0.5–32 d). After 7 d preincubation, seeds showed a log-linear germination response to ethylene concentration in most of the temperature treatments. Sensitivity to ethylene increased with longer preincubation; response thresholds of 0.03−0.09 cm3 m−3 were observed after 32 d, compared to 0.18−1.6 cm3 m−3 after 7 d of preincubation. Preincubation at 15 or 20° C generally enhanced germinability, whereas 25 or 30° C produced secondary dormancy, which was readily broken with ethylene. Temperature during preincubation also significantly influenced the slope of the dose-response curve. The responses of preincubated redroot pigweed seeds to ethylene suggested that, in the field, seeds would probably not lose their sensitivity to this gas during prolonged burial in soil.
Morphology and Function of Lateral Hypaxial Musculature in Salamanders1

Abstract Synopsis. The lateral hypaxial musculature (LHM) of salamanders may serve as a useful model for understanding the functions of LHM in tetrapods more generally. Salamanders have between two and four layers of LHM, arranged segmentally in myomeres. These layers produce three primary mechanical actions: they bend the body, pressurize the body, and produce or resist torsion about the long axis of the body. The optimum muscle fiber angle for forceful bending is 0° to the long axis, the optimum angle for pressurization is 90°, and the optimum angle for torsion is 45°. For generating bending and torsional moments, lateral (superficial) muscle layers have greater mechanical advantage than medial (deep) layers. For increasing body pressure, by contrast, medial layers have greater mechanical advantage. A comparison of muscle fiber angles in aquatic and terrestrial salamanders reveals that some aquatic salamanders have one muscle layer with a low fiber angle which may represent a specialization for swimming...
Nonlinear properties of Er-implanted opal structure

Summary form only given. Ordered array of nanosize spheres are attractive for many linear and nonlinear applications. In particular, if one is able to tailor the nonlinear properties of the embedded material to the confining properties of its matrix, a substantial enhancement in the nonlinear optical properties is expected. Here we present results on the linear and nonlinear optical properties of Er-implanted, ordered array of nanosize silica spheres (opal).
Turing instability in a boundary-fed system

The formation of localized structures in the chlorine dioxide-idodine-malonic acid (CDIMA) reaction-diffusion system is investigated numerically using a realistic model of this system. We analyze the one-dimensional patterns formed along the gradients imposed by boundary feeds, and study their linear stability to symmetry-breaking perturbations (Turing instability) in the plane transverse to these gradients. We establish that an often-invoked simple local linear analysis that neglects longitudinal diffusion is inappropriate for predicting the linear stability of these patterns. Using a fully nonuniform analysis, we investigate the structure of the patterns formed along the gradients and their stability to transverse Turing pattern formation as a function of the values of two control parameters: the malonic acid feed concentration and the size of the reactor in the dimension along the gradients. The results from this investigation are compared with existing experiments.
Phase II Study of High-Dose [131I]Metaiodobenzylguanidine Therapy for Patients With Metastatic Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of high-dose [131I]metaiodobenzylguanidine ([131I]MIBG) in the treatment of malignant pheochromocytoma (PHEO) and paraganglioma (PGL). Methods Fifty patients with metastatic PHEO or PGL, age 10 to 64 years, were treated with [131I]MIBG doses ranging from 492 to 1,160 mCi (median, 12 mCi/kg). Cumulative [131I]MIBG administered ranged from 492 to 3,191 mCi. Autologous hematopoietic stem cells were collected and cryopreserved before treatment with [131I]MIBG greater than 12 mCi/kg or with a total dose greater than 500 mCi. Sixty-nine [131I]MIBG infusions were given, which included infusions to 35 patients treated once and infusions to 15 patients who received two or three treatments. Response was evaluated by [123I]MIBG scans, computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging, urinary catecholamines/metanephrines, and chromogranin A. Results The overall complete response (CR) plus partial response (PR) rate in 49 evaluable patients was 22%. Additionally, 35% of patien...
Orthopaedic surgery in the developing world--can orthopaedic residents help?

The orthopaedic community is becoming more aware of the disparity that exists in health care throughout the world. Orthopaedic residents and fellows and those who have recently finished training are getting involved1. This involvement benefits not only the people in developing countries but also the orthopaedic residents who volunteer and their residencies. This article reviews some of the recent concepts of international health care, suggests avenues for selecting a volunteer program, and presents approaches to prepare for an overseas assignment. It is estimated that half of the world's population lacks access to adequate primary health care, and two-thirds of the population lacks access to orthopaedic care. Globally, the need for health care outstrips the available resources. Although there is little specific epidemiologic data on the exact burden of musculoskeletal disease in developing countries, the orthopaedic community can help to ameliorate the burden in a number of ways. Education is the most effective method of providing a sustainable solution. The objective of educational organizations should be to train local health-care workers at all levels in their own environment to provide sustainable and appropriate care so that the programs become self-sufficient and a continuous supply of competent medical personnel is ensured. During the past several years, a number of our orthopaedic surgery residents in the University of Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Surgery Training Program have volunteered in the developing world through Orthopaedics Overseas. Most of them received funding through the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation. Several other medical schools have programs that allow residents in training to get involved with volunteer activities in developing countries1. The orthopaedic training program at the University of California at San Francisco includes an overseas elective as part of its curriculum and sends most of the residents in their program overseas at some point during …
Confronting Testimonial Hearsay: Understanding the New Confrontation Clause

In 2004, the United States Supreme Court rewrote its understanding of the Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause1 in Crawford v. Washington,2 jettisoning a quarter-century of “reliability” jurisprudence in favor of a new testimonial/non-testimonial analysis. In doing so, the Supreme Court affected seismic change in the landscape of nearly every criminal trial in Illinois and across the United States. At its core, Crawford holds that when a hearsay declarant does not testify at trial, the Confrontation Clause prohibits admitting the declarant’s testimonial statements unless the declarant is unavailable and the defendant had a prior opportunity to cross-examine.3 Even though the Supreme Court revisited the subject two years later in Davis v. Washington,4 many questions remain, leaving some courts scratching their heads. Courts today are looking at various formulae to identify testimonial hearsay. Among the issues pressing courts are: (1) what degree of governmental involvement in procuring a statement is necessary to render that statement testimonial;5 (2) whether a statement’s testimonial status is properly determined by its content or the context in which it is made;6 and (3) identifying the relationship
Limit Pressures of Rigidly Clamped Circular Cylindrical Shells

In this paper the exact limit pressure is examined for a circular cylindrical shell rigidly supported at both ends. The Tresca yield criterion is assumed, with shear deformation neglected. Exact velocity and stress field equations are derived. As expected, the results show an inverse correlation between the shell length and the yield pressure. Calculations are obtained by introducing a small outward central ring force.
Reflections on Lakatos’ Methodology of Scientific Research Programs

On several occasions Lakatos has stated explicitly that his own conception of the philosophy of science developed gradually through a critical reflection on inductivism, conventionalism, critical rationalism, and Kuhn’s conception of science. Lakatos’point of departure is to be found in Popper’s critical rationalism which he tried to improve. In so doing he hoped to be able to overcome two rationality gaps which he thought to be inherent in Kuhn’s conception of science.
Radiological signs of the syndrome of the trephined

Syndrome of the trephined (ST) is a post-craniectomy complication. It is characterized by the appearance of new neurological symptoms following the craniectomy, which are relieved after cranioplasty. The purpose of our work was to identify radiological signs and imaging biomarkers of the ST. CT images of 32 patients were retrospectively analyzed (ST = 13, controls = 19). While the shapes of craniectomy flap were qualitatively assessed, deviation of the midline structures, relative intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume, and the 3rd ventricle’s volume were quantitatively measured. We did not find between-group differences in the mean age or number of post-craniectomy days. ST was diagnosed during the second post-craniectomy month. The occurrence of a sunken skin flap sign was similar in both groups (69.23 % in ST group, 57.89 % in control group). Occurrence of paradoxical herniation and deviation of the midline structures were not significantly different between groups. Mean relative intracranial CSF volume was significantly smaller in ST patients (ST = 5.59 %, controls = 8.12 %, p = 0.01). ST patients, compared to controls, had also significantly smaller mean 3rd ventricle volumes (ST = 1748 mm3, controls = 2772.97 mm3, p = 0.03). ST is an infrequent and delayed post-craniectomy complication. The most common radiological findings (paradoxical herniation, deviation of the midline structures, and sunken skin flap sign) might not be specific for ST. Significantly lower 3rd ventricle, and relative intracranial CSF volumes, suggest that altered biophysical CSF properties underlie ST pathophysiology. Therefore, volume measurements of 3rd ventricle could be useful for identification of patients who have higher probability of developing the ST.
Personal Values and Negotiation Outcomes: Understanding Ourselves and Others

We examine the relationship between people’s professed values and their negotiation performance through a controlled experimental design study. Using Schwartz values and distributive, integrative, and compatible negotiation outcomes in a controlled experiment, we apply multi-level modeling to determine interdependent effects at the individual and dyadic levels. Specifically we found that the values of hedonism and tradition negatively impact distributive outcomes for the primary subject. Concurrently, distributive outcomes for the primary subject are negatively affected by the value of tradition and positively impacted by the value of security in the negotiation partner. Finally, we found that the negotiation partner’s value of self-direction positively impacts the integrative outcome for the primary subject. The implication for the selection of collective bargaining agents is discussed.
Taking a New Look at State-Directed Industrialization (Book Review)

The questions of “why some countries are rich and some others are poor” or “what it would take for less developed countries to break their vicious circle and join the club of rich” have long occupied the minds of the students of development studies. However, a new generation of scholars who are focusing on the comparative performance of less developed countries in order to explain why some developing countries have been more successful than others, has radically altered the terrain of development economics. Atul Kohli’s State-Directed Development: Political Power and Industrialization in the Global Periphery represents a stellar example of this new generation of scholarship.
Predicting Adverse Reactions to Blood Transfusion

In 2011 approximately 21 million blood components were transfused in the United States, with roughly 1 in 414 causing an adverse reaction [1]. Two adverse reactions in particular, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO), accounted for 62% of reported transfusion-related fatalities in 2013 [2]. We describe newly developed models for predicting the likelihood of these adverse reactions, with a goal towards better informing the clinician prior to a transfusion decision. Our models include both traditional logistic regression as well as modern machine learning techniques, and incorporate over sampling methods to deal with severe class imbalance. We focus on a minimal set of predictors in order to maximize potential application. Results from 8 models demonstrate AUC's ranging from 0.72 to 0.84, with sensitivities tunable by threshold choice across ranges up to 0.93. Many of the models rank the same predictors amongst the most important, perhaps yielding insight into the mechanisms underlying TRALI and TACO. These models are currently being implemented in a Clinical Decision Support System [3] in perioperative environments at Mayo Clinic.
Development of Nano-Fibrous Eutectic and Primary Silicon Phases in Al-Si Cast Alloys for High Strength Structural Applications

Among the high strength lightweight materials, hypereutectic Al-Si cast alloys with constituent phases that possess nano-scale dimensions are highly desirable for automotive and aerospace applications. Recently, we have achieved ultra-high strength Al-Si alloys via directional solidification technology. In these directionally solidified alloys, both the eutectic and primary silicon phases have nano-sized fibrous morphologies. This paper describes the microstructure evolution and manufacturing of these advanced alloys and introduces ways of implementing these findings of directionally solidified casting into near-net shaped castings.
Life History of Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Acarina: Macrochelidae), a Predator of the House Fly

Macrocheles muscaedomesticae is a free-living predator of the egg, and to a lesser extent of the larva, of Musca doviestica . In the present study, emphasis is placed up standardization of general rearing conditions and a substrate (ground steer manure plus 10% soybean oil meal, moistened) as well as definition of biological performance of this mesostigmatic mite under these conditions. Eggs from virgin females were smaller (0.370 by 0.249 mm.) than eggs from mated females (0.374 by 0.256 mm.), and required a longer incubation period. These individuals spent less time as larvae; neither difference in the first two stages was significant. The protonymphal stage lasted significantly longer in the male progeny from virgin females, while the deutonymphal stage tended to be shorter. However, the total elapsed time from egg to adult for male or female progeny was not significantly different. The preoviposition period in fertilized females (53.5 hours) exceeded that in virgin females (48 hours), but not significantly. Significantly more eggs were laid by virgin females (91.7) than by fertilized females (61.4). The maximum recorded 24-hour egg production from a virgin female was 28, from a fertilized female 25; the average daily production was 7.70 and 5.29, respectively. The average life span of fertilized females (23.9 days) was close to that of unfertilized females (24.3 days) ; the male life span was shorter, averaging 15 days.
Rites of Passage: the 1988 Seoul Olympics as Public Diplomacy:

iplomacy is communication applied to the relations among nationstates. Traditional studies of diplomatic communication have focused on direct, government-to-government contacts, but recent scholarly attention has begun to turn to less direct forms of so-called "public diplomacy," in which the government of one nation seeks to employ the media and public opinion of a second to bring constituency or other political pressure on the second nation's government to act in its favor (Davison 1974; Merritt 1980). Such pressure can be directed at either increasing or restricting the latitude of foreign-policy decision making available to the target government. Manheim (1987) has proposed an interactive model of media-public-policy influences which can be used to predict or explain public diplomacy efforts, and in a recent series of studies employing the model, Manheim and Albritton (1984, 1986, 1987; Albritton and Manheim 1985) have examined the use of public relations and news management techniques by several governments to influence their portrayal in the news media of a target country, in this instance the United States. These studies have demonstrated the effect with which governments can produce, construct, and/or control access to newsworthy events for the purpose of influencing foreign public or elite opinion to their advantage. In that context, major international sporting competitions offer targets of opportunity for public diplomacy efforts. The final match of the 1986 World Cup, for example, drew a worldwide audience of 652 million, and the opening ceremony of the 1984 Olympic Games was viewed by an estimated 522 million persons (Larson 1989). And, precisely because it holds the attention of large numbers of people in multiple countries and conveys to them simple and highly symbolic messages, high-level international sporting competition is inextricably linked with international politics. With their visible nationalistic elements (flags, uniforms) and the opportunities they provide propagandists and commentators alike to interpret individual or team accomplishments as tests of national character, will, and achievement, such sporting events provide a showcase for leaders or advocates of causes who compete for world attention. (Hoberman 1984: 7-11) As Hazan (1982: 18) has put it: "Sport . . . is a medium that may simultaneously embrace billions of people, an unsus-
Communication Maps of Vibrational Energy Transport Through Photoactive Yellow Protein

We calculate communication maps for Photoactive Yellow Protein (PYP) from the purple phototropic eubacterium Halorhodospira halophile and use them to elucidate energy transfer pathways from the chromophore through the rest of the protein in the ground and excited state. The calculations reveal that in PYP excess energy from the chromophore flows mainly to regions of the surrounding residues that hydrogen bond to the chromophore. In addition, quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the dielectric response of the protein and solvent environment due to charge rearrangement on the chromophore following photoexcitation are also presented, with both approaches yielding similar time constants for the response. Results of MD simulations indicate that the residues hydrogen bonding to the chromophore make the largest contribution to the response.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Anion Effect on Solubility, Diffusivity, and Permeability of Carbon Dioxide in Ionic Liquids

The solubility, diffusivity, and permeability of CO2 in three ionic liquids with a common cation were investigated by molecular dynamics simulations in order to understand the role of the anion in dictating permeability. The three ionic liquids are 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetracyanoborate ([emim][B(CN)4]), 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([emim][Tf2N]), and 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([emim][BF4]). The simulated solubility agrees satisfactorily with experiment with a trend of [emim][B(CN)4] > [emim][Tf2N] > [emim][BF4]. The higher solubility of CO2 in [emim][B(CN)4] appears to be due to weaker cation–anion interaction, higher fraction of larger cavity, larger free volume, and more favorable interaction with CO2. CO2 diffusivity in ILs follows the same trend as solubility. On the basis of the solvation–diffusion mechanism, gas permeability was estimated and compared with experiment. The present work confirms the superiority of tetracyanoborate-based I...
Clinical and Laboratory Findings in the Oculocerebrorenal Syndrome of Lowe, with Special Reference to Growth and Renal Function

Abstract Background. The oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe is an X-linked disorder whose clinical manifestations include congenital cataracts, mental retardation, and renal tubular dysfunction. We investigated growth, renal function, and serum chemistry values in patients with the oculocerebrorenal syndrome to determine the natural history of the disorder and its heterogeneity with respect to these characteristics. Methods. Twenty-three patients with the oculocerebrorenal syndrome, ranging in age from 4 months to 31 years, were examined. Height was compared with bone age. Renal function was assessed by measurements of proteinuria, urinary volume, and fractional excretions of potassium, phosphate, carnitine, and amino acids. Creatinine clearance was determined as a measure of glomerular function. Results. In the oculocerebrorenal syndrome, linear growth decreases after one year of age; bone age lies between chronologic age and height age. Renal dysfunction occurs in the first year of life, characterized b...
Being a Pediatrician in an Ebola Epidemic.

* Abbreviations: ETU — : Ebola treatment unit EVD — : Ebola virus disease PPE — : personal protective equipment I had the privilege of serving as a short-term Ebola clinician in Sierra Leone. I went as part of a team with the nongovernmental organization Partners in Health1 in January and February 2015. Sierra Leone is a country of 5.9 million people, with 41.7% <15 years old. Sierra Leone has a ratio of 0.022 physicians per 1000 people, or 1 physician for every 45 000 people.2 Pediatric care is provided by general practitioners and community health care workers. There is no pediatric specialty training available for physicians in the country. The most common causes of death for children <5 years old in Sierra Leone are pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria.3 Against this background of an insufficiently equipped health care system, the Ebola epidemic hit West Africa, and cases in Sierra Leone peaked at 13 406 cases,4 the most of any country afflicted with Ebola. I trained as a combined internal medicine and pediatrics physician, and while working in the Ebola treatment unit (ETU) I was quickly assigned to the pediatric patients there. I was not the first or the only pediatrician to work in the ETU. I had the pleasure to meet … Address correspondence to Vijay Aswani, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, Marshfield Clinic, 1000 N Oak Ave, Marshfield, WI 54449. E-mail: aswani.vijay{at}marshfieldclinic.org
Separation of the Neuroproteome by Ion Exchange Chromatography

Ion exchange chromatography is a fractionation technique applicable to the separation of brain-derived proteins based on charge. Proteome complexity overwhelms analytical approaches, which is mitigated by fractioning samples into simpler solutions. In this chapter we will cover the design, optimization, and execution of an ion exchange experiment for the separation of a brain lysate. Furthermore, helpful tips and pitfall will be revealed to aid with potential problems that may arise. The discussed proteomic methodology is applicable to multidimensional separations ahead of bottom-up or top-down proteomic strategies for characterizing the neuroproteome.
Formal Methods in Air Traffic Management: The Case of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

As the technological and operational capabilities of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) continue to grow, so too does the need to introduce these systems into civil airspace. Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration in the National Airspace System is a NASA research project that addresses the integration of civil UAS into non-segregated airspace operations. One of the major challenges of this integration is the lack of an onboard pilot to comply with the legal requirement that pilots see and avoid other aircraft. The need to provide an equivalent to this requirement for UAS has motivated the development of a detect and avoid (DAA) capability to provide the appropriate situational awareness and maneuver guidance in avoiding and remaining well clear of traffic aircraft. Formal methods has played a fundamental role in the development of this capability. This talk reports on the formal methods work conducted under NASA's Safe Autonomous System Operations project in support of the development of DAA for UAS. This work includes specification of low-level and high-level functional requirements, formal verification of algorithms, and rigorous validation of software implementations. The talk also discusses technical challenges in formal methods research in the context of the development and safety analysis of advanced air traffic management concepts.
Anthropometric measurements and their interpretation: Principles, practices, and problems

As many as 50 per cent of hospitalized patients are estimated, in some surveys, to suffer from protein-calorie malnutrition. Anthropometry provides at least one quick and easy way to assess a patient's protein and calorie reserves. The measurements most commonly obtained are height, weight, triceps skinfold thickness, and upper arm circumference. An alternate method is suggested that compares these measurements with percentiles rather than, as in the current method, with percentages of the standard.
Outcome After Extremity Injuries

Well-designed clinical research remains necessary in order to evaluate the quality of care in trauma patients with lower extremity fractures. A critical assessment of the orthopaedic trauma outcome literature requires a critical review of the study validity, numerical results, and the actual implications for the clinical practice. This chapter summarizes the pertinent outcomes in polytrauma patients with extremity fractures. Over the last decades, improvements in the field of emergency and intensive care have decreased the mortality rates of polytrauma patients. With increased survival rates of polytrauma patients, the long-term functional outcomes have gained importance. Recent studies have shown that lower extremity fracture seems to significantly impact the functional recovery of polytrauma patients. In particular, distal lower extremity fracture, such as fractures below the knee joint, seems to be associated with significant long-term disability. With regard to mangled lower extremities, it remains unclear which particular subset of patients may benefit from limb salvage versus amputation. Recent research has emphasized that certain patient factors, such as patient self-efficacy, age, race, education level, smoking, pre-injury employment, and litigations, seem to have a significant impact on the patient recovery regardless of the treatment rendered. With regard to upper extremity injuries in polytrauma patients, the literature is limited. Clinical outcome studies have shown that in particular nerve injuries to the upper extremity, such as brachial plexus injuries, seem to limit the functional recovery.
Educational Expectations and Progress of Community College Students: Does Socialization Matter?:

BackgroundWhile literature is abundant on factors associated with community college student outcomes, limited attention has been paid to what shapes educational expectations after students enroll, ...
A New Era of Clinical Research Methods in a Data-Rich Environment

Abstract As a result of various informatics advances, clinical health research is transitioning from a data-poor environment in which data must be prospectively obtained to a data-rich environment in which data are made readily available within a comprehensive health research network infrastructure. Examples of data-rich approaches from the natural sciences provide a vision of the characteristics of a health research infrastructure that can rapidly answer research questions and improve our understanding and prediction of health. Advances in electronic health records, mobile technologies, patient-generated data, and cohort databases provide the basis for this transition to a data-rich science. This transition requires changes in our research methodologies that are better suited to a temporally dense and dynamically complex data system. Big data analytics, within-subject designs, adaptive designs, and computational modeling approaches are likely to predominate a data-rich science of clinical health research.
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH DISCONTINUOUS NONLINEARITIES

Publisher Summary This chapter presents differential equations with discontinuous nonlinearities (DNDE). It reviews the theory of nonlinear partial differential equations with DNDE, not only for a natural extension, but also for applications. Many free boundary problems may be reduced to boundary value problems of DNDE such as the obstacle problem, the seepage surface problem, the Stefan problem, the free boundary problem of the water cone in an oil reservoir with bottom water, the free boundary problem arising in the plasma physics, and so on. Sometimes, even if in dealing with a PDE problem with continuous nonlinearity, it is beneficial to put the original PDE into a large category, for instance, the DNDE. By highlighting solutions of the DNDE as fixed points of a set-valued mapping, the chapter describes the degree theory and the fixed point theory of compact, convex set-valued mappings as a basic topological tool in solving these problems.
Effect of intrinsic point defects on ferroelectric polarization behavior of SrTiO 3

The effect of a variety of intrinsic defects and defect clusters in bulk and thin films of ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ on ferroelectric polarization and switching mechanisms is investigated by means of density-functional-theory based calculations and the Berry phase approach. Our results show that both the titanium ${\mathrm{Ti}}_{\mathrm{Sr}}^{\ifmmode\bullet\else\textbullet\fi{}\ifmmode\bullet\else\textbullet\fi{}}$ and strontium ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{\mathrm{Ti}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}$ antisite defects induce ferroelectric polarization in ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$, with the ${\mathrm{Ti}}_{\mathrm{Sr}}^{\ifmmode\bullet\else\textbullet\fi{}\ifmmode\bullet\else\textbullet\fi{}}$ defect causing a more pronounced spontaneous polarization and higher activation barriers of polarization reversal than ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{\mathrm{Ti}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}$. The presence of oxygen vacancies bound to the antisite defects can either enhance or diminish polarization depending on the configuration of the defect pair, but it always leads to larger activation barriers of polarization switching as compared to the antisite defects with no oxygen vacancies. We also show that the magnitude of spontaneous polarization in ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ can be tuned by controlling the degree of Sr/Ti nonstroichiometry. Other intrinsic point defects such as Frenkel defect pairs and electron small polarons also contribute to the emergence of ferroelectric polarization in ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$.
Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Mini-Agrin Delivery Is Unable to Rescue Disease Phenotype in a Mouse Model of Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2I.

Agrin is a basement membrane-specific proteoglycan that can regulate orientation of cytoskeleton proteins and improve function of dystrophic skeletal muscle. In skeletal muscle, agrin binds with high affinity to laminin(s) and α-dystroglycan (α-DG), an integral part of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. Miniaturized forms of agrin (mAgrin) have been shown to ameliorate disease pathology in a laminin-α2 knockout mouse model of muscular dystrophy, acting as a link between α-DG and laminin(s). Here, we test whether mAgrin might also improve pathologies associated with FKRP -related dystroglycanopathies, another form of muscular dystrophy characterized by weak interactions between muscle and basement membranes. We demonstrate in vitro that mAgrin enhances laminin binding to primary myoblasts and fibroblasts from an FKRP mutant mouse model and that this enhancement is abrogated when mAgrin is in molar excess relative to laminin. However, in vivo delivery of mAgrin via adeno-associated virus (AAV) into FKRP mutant mice was unable to improve dystrophic phenotypes, both histologically and functionally. These results likely reflect insufficient binding of mAgrin to hypoglycosylated α-DG on muscle fibers and possibly abrogation of binding from molar excess of overexpressed AAV-delivered mAgrin. Further exploration of mAgrin modification is necessary to strengthen its binding to other membrane components, including hypoglycosylated α-DG, for potential therapeutic applications.
Enhancing IS User Empowerment and Problem-Solving Behavior Through Training and Prompting

Information systems (IS) users may learn to use IS through training, but may not be able to solve IS problems that arise. This may be because of limited skills and knowledge of IS problem-solving strategies to resolve these issues. Although previous IS research has studied various aspects of training and trainers as well as the influence on performance outcomes, research has not specifically focused on training problem-solving techniques or behaviors. Considering the potentially negative outcomes from being unable to resolve IS problems, such as inaccuracies or inefficiencies in performance outcomes, this research proposes to address this gap. Research studies have demonstrated that behavioral interventions, such as prompting and transfer of stimulus control, have influenced the use of desired behaviors in specific as well as novel situations. Prompting encourages the desired behavior to be utilized, the desired behavior can then be reinforced for continuous use, and prompting is eventually removed and stimulus control is transferred to a natural stimulus (e.g., IS problem). This research intends to evaluate the effectiveness of prompting and transfer of stimulus control to enhance users’ sense of empowerment, efforts to solve IS problems, and performance outcomes. Therefore, this study intends to provide insights on methods of improving IS users abilities to solve IS problems by increasing users’ sense of empowerment and problem-solving behaviors when utilizing software applications with the use of specific behavioral interventions (i.e., prompting and transfer of stimulus control).
Functions and Dimensions of Religion

The vitality of religion'sfrustration reductionfunction is examined in terms of deathfear and self-esteem, and the utility of religion in promoting norm adherence is assessed through analysis of the effects of religion on orientations toward the social responsibility norm. Religion is dimensionalized into public and private ritual activity (church attendance and devotionalism), religious experience and religious orthodoxy. Results from a statewide probability sample of males indicate that high levels offrustration are no more prevalent among the nonreligious than among those high in religiosity, but that devotionalism promotes norm adherence.
Traits and competitive performance

By 370 BC, Athens was the greatest power in the eastern Mediterranean. Fortunes were made and lavish displays of wealth proliferated. But, continues Durant (1939) “In the midst of this wealth poverty increased, for the same variety and freedom of exchange that enabled the clever to make money allowed the simple to lose it faster than before. Under the new mercantile economy the poor were relatively poorer than in the days of their serfdom on the land.” Nearly two millennia before Durant, Jesus reached the same conclusion.“The poor,” he said, “will always be with us.”
Synthesis and Metal-Ion Uptake Properties of a New Dithiocarbamate-Base Resin

A new dithiocarbamate-base resin was synthesized utilizing the reaction between carbon disulfide and immobilized amines on the fully cross-linked side of the styrene-maleicimide (SMI) copolymer. The sorption characteristics of the synthesized resin for copper, lead, nickel, zinc, and cadmium ions were investigated, using atomic adsorption spectroscopy (AAS). The sorption capacity of the resin for each metal ion was studied as a function of pH and time. The optimum pH range for sorption of the metal ions was between 4 and 6. The capacity of the resin for the metal ions decreases in the following order: Cu(II) ≈ Pb(II) > > Zn(II) > Ni(II) > Cd(II). The sorption rate of the metal ions in the resin decreases in the following order: Zn(II) > Ni(II) > Cd(II) > Pb(II) > Cu(II). The affinity of the resin for the ions was also studied using a mixture of the heavy metal ions. The capacities of the new resin, especially for copper and lead, are significantly higher than previously studied resins. Additionally, it was shown that desorption of the captured ions from the resin within 24 h can be done using 1 M nitric acid solution.
A twist on the Majorana fermion

All superconductors are characterized by an energy gap, a range of energies in which excitations are forbidden. However, the recently discovered class of topological superconductors (TSs) has a unique distinguishing feature: The boundary of a TS hosts gapless states called Majorana modes. The term Majorana stems from similarities with the unusual particles proposed by Ettore Majorana in his seminal 1937 paper ( 1 ). However, although Majorana's particles are fermions that are their own antiparticles, Majorana modes are composite quantum mechanical states, with distinct and perhaps even more intriguing properties. On page 294 of this issue, He et al. ( 2 ) provide compelling evidence for the observation of chiral Majorana modes at the boundary of a two-dimensional TS.