cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rough set theory fuzzy belief functions related to statistical confidence:application & evaluation for golf course closing

Rough set theory is developed in terms of fuzzy sets that will allow a decision maker to determine certain and possible rules. In the application presented these rules are determined for the decision to close a golf course when the number of rounds of golf to be played is anticipated to be low. Attributes having an effect on the number of rounds of golf to be played are statistically analyzed and those negative factors are selected for generating rules for closing. Furthermore, the degree of belief of the decision maker in these generated rules is determined to be directly related to statistical confidence intervals.
Policing, Punishment, and the Individual: Criminal Justice in China

Why has China developed a system of social control which is widely regarded as a tool of police-state oppression and a source of human rights abuses?1 How can this problem-which Michael Dutton refers to as "the Gulag question" (at 15)-be rectified? What would an improved Chinese social control system look like? Chinese legal historians and scholars have been openly concerned with these questions since the beginning of the reform era in 1979. In Policing and Punishment in China, Dutton enters the Chinese debate, trying to identify the roots of the "Gulag question" through an extensive survey of the historical precedents and contemporary theory and practice of two institutions of social control: household registration and prisons. He does so by way of an exploration of the relationship between old and new techniques of social control which is inspired by, but questions, Foucault's work on
Mass Spectrometry Analysis of the 1.5 nm Sphalerite-CdS Core of [Cd32S14(SC6H5)36·DMF4]

Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry is a soft-ionization technique that allows analysis of exact structure, composition, and stability of solution phase materials by a gas-phase technique. We describe the application of ESI techniques for the analysis of a nanoscale material, [Cd32S14(SC6H5)36·DMF4]. The ∼1.5 nm nanoscale cluster is composed of a ∼1.2 nm sphalerite-phase (cubic) CdS core consisting of six tetrahedrally coordinated S atoms and four tetrahedrally coordinated Cd atoms. By MS/MS analysis of the parent ion, cleavage along the pseudo-〈001〉 plane of the internal core is observed exposing a Cd-rich face analogous to a 〈001〉 plane in CdS. The fragmentation pattern of this nanoscale cluster provides insight into the potential fragmentation behavior of larger nanosized materials and suggests ESI may be a powerful technique for nanomaterial studies.
Saving the Theory: On Chi-Square Tests With Cross-Cultural Survey Data

Using data from three well-known cross-cultural survey data sets that differ in size and geographical scope, this article examines the effects of spatial and/or cultural clustering of societies on the usual chi-square test of independence. Sample design effects for individ ual variables and for two-way contingency tables from all three data sets were found to be generally larger than unity, often consid erably so, suggesting that the associated chi-square test statistic var iances are considerably underestimated and that the risk of Type I errors is considerably greater than the 5% level usually assumed by researchers. This is especially true if variable categories have been collapsed to overcome small cell counts, a common occurrence in comparative research. These empirical findings imply that using chi-square tests with categorical variables from cross-cultural sur vey data sets is a relatively easy way to generate an excess of sta tistically significant results, thus increasing the likelihood of "sav i...
Homogeneously Alloyed CdSxSe1-x Nanocrystals: Synthesis, Characterization, and Composition/Size-Dependent Band Gap

Alloy nanocrystals provide an additional degree of freedom in selecting desirable properties for nanoscale engineering because their physical and optical properties depend on both size and composition. We report the pyrolytic synthesis of homogeneously alloyed CdSxSe1-x nanocrystals in all proportions. The nanocrystals are characterized using UV−visible absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractrometry, and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry to determine precisely structure, size, and composition. The dependence of band gap on nanocrystal size and composition is elucidated, yielding a bowing constant of 0.29, in agreement with bulk values. In addition, the morphology of the resultant nanocrystals can be altered by changing the reaction conditions, generating structures ranging from homogeneous, spherical nanocrystals to one-dimensional gradient nanorods.
Universality limits in the bulk for arbitrary measures on compact sets

We present a new method for establishing universality limits in the bulk, based on the theory of entire functions of exponential type. Let μ be a measure on a compact subset of the real line. Assume that μ is absolutely continuous in a neighborhood of some point x in the support and that μ′ is bounded above and below near x, which is assumed to be a Lebesgue point of μ′. Then universality holds at x if and only if it holds “along the diagonal,” that is, $$ \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty } \frac{{K_n (x + \tfrac{a} {n},x + \tfrac{a} {n})}} {{K_n (x,x)}} = 1 $$ for all real a. The method does not require regularity of the measure μ as did earlier methods. Moreover, the assumption on the diagonal is certainly satisfied in the case of regular measures, so that we obtain another proof of some recent results of Simon and Totik.
Comparison of Effectiveness of Various Methods of Administration of Insulin

The efficacy of the administration of insulin by various routes has been investigated repeatedly. Insulin has been given orally (1, 2, 3), in solution, by instillation into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (4), and orally in alcoholic solution within keratinized capsules (5). Murlin's studies (6) showed that on the average 10 units of insulin given subcutaneously had an effect which approximated that of 800 units given orally. The effect was not always proportional to the dose. Komisarenko, et al. (7) demonstrated that insulin was inactivated in the stomach in 15 minutes, in the duodenum in one hour, and in the colon in 2 hours. Insulin also has been given intranasally (8), by inhalation of insulin spray (9,10) by rectum, by vagina, and by absorption through the scrotal sac (11). Inunction also has been tried (12). By all of these methods insulin has had weak, doubtful, or frankly negative effects.
Sensor performance and weather effects modeling for intelligent transportation systems (ITS) applications

Optical sensors are used for several ITS applications, including lateral control of vehicles, traffic sign recognition, car following, autonomous vehicle navigation, and obstacle detection. This paper treats the performance assessment of a sensor/image processor used as part of an on-board countermeasure system to prevent single vehicle roadway departure crashes. Sufficient image contrast between objects of interest and backgrounds is an essential factor influencing overall system performance. Contrast is determined by material properties affecting reflected/radiated intensities, as well as weather and visibility conditions. This paper discusses the modeling of these parameters and characterizes the contrast performance effects due to reduced visibility. The analysis process first involves generation of inherent road/off- road contrasts, followed by weather effects as a contrast modification. The sensor is modeled as a charge coupled device (CCD), with variable parameters. The results of the sensor/weather modeling are used to predict the performance on an in-vehicle warning system under various levels of adverse weather. Software employed in this effort was previously developed for the U.S. Air Force Wright Laboratory to determine target/background detection and recognition ranges for different sensor systems operating under various mission scenarios.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Stress-energy of a quantized scalar field in static wormhole spacetimes

Static traversable wormhole solutions of the Einstein equations require ``exotic'' matter which violates the weak energy condition. The vacuum stress-energy of quantized fields has been proposed as the source for this matter. Using the Dewitt-Schwinger approximation, analytic expressions for the stress-energy of a quantized massive scalar field are calculated in five static spherically symmetric Lorentzian wormhole spacetimes. We find that in all cases, for both minimally and conformally coupled scalar fields, the stress-energy does not have the properties needed to support the wormhole geometry.
Characterization of cDNA clones for the alpha subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase from Ascaris suum

Abstract The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex occupies a unique position in the anaerobic mitochondrial metabolism of the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum . This paper describes cDNA clones for the β subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase component of this complex. A cDNA library has been constructed in λgt11 from poly(A) + RNA isolated from adult ascarid body wall muscle. The library was screened with antiserum prepared against the β subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Full-length clones of 1.2 kb have been characterized. The first 15 amino acids determined from the purified protein match exactly those predicted from the cDNA sequence. The deduced protein sequence contains a 26-amino-acid presequence that has characteristics of mitochondrial targeting sequences. The mature protein is predicted to contain 334 amino acids and is 62% identical to the predicted sequence of the corresponding human subunit [10]. Full-length in vitro transcripts have been translated in vitro to yield a 39-kDa polypeptide consistent with the open reading frame present in the cDNA sequence. The 90 nucleotides at the 3′ end of the cDNA sequence have the potential to form a cruciform structure that may play a role in the synthesis of the enzyme.
Otolith microstructure reveals ecological and oceanographic processes important to ecosystem-based management

Information obtained from fish otoliths has been a critical component of fisheries management for decades. The nature of this information has changed over time as management goals and approaches have shifted. The earliest and still most pervasively used data are those of annual age and growth used to calculate the demographic rates of populations in single-species management strategies. Over time, the absence of simple stock-recruitment relationships has focused attention on the youngest stages, where otolith microstructure resolved on a daily basis has become a valuable tool. As management has transitioned to more ecosystem-based approaches, the need to understand ecological and oceanographic processes has been advanced through the analysis of daily otolith microstructure. Recent field examples illustrate how otolith microstructure data have been used to reveal environmental influences on larval growth, traits that lead to higher survivorship, mechanisms of larval transport, dynamics of dispersal and population connectivity, determinants of recruitment magnitude, carry-over processes between life stages, habitat-specific juvenile survival, and identification of natal sources. Daily otolith-derived data collected at an individual level are increasingly combined with data from other disciplines and incorporated into individual-based models, which in turn can form the building blocks of complex models of ecosystem dynamics. A mechanistic understanding of the ecology of young stages is particularly necessary in light of a rapidly changing ocean environment, as we need to be able to predict individual and population responses to perturbations. Otolith microstructure analysis is an important tool in our management arsenal, contributing to a broader understanding of the oceanographic and ecological processes underlying ecosystem dynamics.
Effects of Dobutamine at Maximally Tolerated Dose on Myocardial Blood Flow in Humans With Ischemic Heart Disease

Background This study tests the hypothesis in humans with ischemic heart disease that myocardial blood flow response to dobutamine is linearly correlated with blood flow response to adenosine. Methods and Results PET with [13N]ammonia was used to measure myocardial blood flow at rest and during adenosine and dobutamine at the maximally tolerated dose. Myocardial segments were defined physiologically on the basis of blood flow response to adenosine: normal, ≥2 mL · min−1 · g−1; abnormal, <2 mL · min−1 · g−1; and “steal,” decline versus baseline ≥0.15 mL · min−1 · g−1. The patient population consisted of 11 men and 2 women. Dobutamine increased heart rate (79±22 to 115±28 bpm) and rate-pressure product (9748±2862 to 15 157±3433 mm Hg/min) significantly (both P<.01). Myocardial blood flow at rest in abnormal segments (0.50±0.23 mL · min−1 · g−1) was reduced (P<.001) versus normal (0.90±0.45) and steal (0.92±0.60). Nevertheless, in abnormal segments, blood flow increased versus rest (P<.001) with dobutamine (...
CONTEXTUAL DISPARITIES IN GUIDELINES DEPARTURES: COURTROOM SOCIAL CONTEXTS, GUIDELINES COMPLIANCE, AND EXTRALEGAL DISPARITIES IN CRIMINAL SENTENCING1

This study examines the theoretical and empirical linkages between criminal court social contexts and the judicial use of sentences that deviate from the recommendations of sentencing guidelines. Individual sentencing data from the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing (PCS) are combined with county-level measures of social context to examine predictions about the role courtroom characteristics play in judicial departures. Results from hierarchical analyses suggest that the likelihood of departure varies significantly across courts, even after accounting for variations in individual case characteristics. Several measures of courtroom social context—including the size of the court, its caseload pressure and the overall guidelines compliance rate—are significantly related to the individual likelihood of receiving a departure sentence. Moreover, the social context of the court also conditions the influence of various individual-level sentencing considerations. Findings are discussed in relation to contemporary theoretical perspectives on courtroom decision making and future directions for research on contextual disparities in criminal sentencing are suggested.
No evidence for root-mediated allelopathy in Centaurea solstitialis, a species in a commonly allelopathic genus

Phytotoxicity bioassays and pot experiments using activated carbon both suggest that Centaurea solstitialis (yellow star-thistle) does not rely on phytotoxic root exudates for invasion of California grasslands. Pot experiments in which five native species were grown in the presence/absence of C. solstitialis and in the presence/absence of activated carbon (fully crossed design) showed that C. solstitialis competitively suppressed native species, but did not inhibit them through allelochemicals. In separate experiments examining the role of root exudates in invasion success, treatment with crude root exudates and chloroform-extracted root exudates from C. solstitialis reduced growth of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. However, high concentrations of the exudates (50%, v/v or 500 μg mL−1) were required to inhibit A. thaliana growth and did not result in A. thaliana mortality, suggesting the presence of only a weak growth inhibitor. Moreover, high concentrations of C. solstitialis crude root exudates did not affect the growth of five native grass species often displaced by C. solstitialis invasions in California grasslands. Finally, root exudates collected from C. solstitialis had weaker effects on a native California root parasite, Triphysaria versicolor, than root exudates collected from Zea mays, a species not renowned for its competitive or invasive capabilities. Our results suggest that, while C. solstitialis might possibly “be persuaded to yield a product that is toxic to one species or another” (Population biology of plants, Academic, 1977), we find no evidence that allelopathic root exudates play a role in the competitive success of this invasive.
The histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A alters the pattern of DNA replication origin activity in human cells

Eukaryotic chromatin structure limits the initiation of DNA replication spatially to chromosomal origin zones and temporally to the ordered firing of origins during S phase. Here, we show that the level of histone H4 acetylation correlates with the frequency of replication initiation as measured by the abundance of short nascent DNA strands within the human c-myc and lamin B2 origins, but less well with the frequency of initiation across the b-globin locus. Treatment of HeLa cells with trichostatin A (TSA) reversibly increased the acetylation level of histone H4 globally and at these initiation sites. At all three origins, TSA treatment transiently promoted a more dispersive pattern of initiations, decreasing the abundance of nascent DNA at previously preferred initiation sites while increasing the nascent strand abundance at lower frequency genomic initiation sites. When cells arrested in late G1 were released into TSA, they completed S phase more rapidly than untreated cells, possibly due to the earlier initiation from late-firing origins, as exemplified by the b-globin origin. Thus, TSA may modulate replication origin activity through its effects on chromatin structure, by changing the selection of initiation sites, and by advancing the time at which DNA synthesis can begin at some initiation sites.
On misinterpretations of pseudoreplication and related matters: a reply to Oksanen

Pseudoreplication has become a widely accepted label for a certain class of statistical error common in the literature of ecology as well as of other fields. A wide-ranging critique by L. Oksanen recently published in this journal criticizes the term and concept and concludes it to be a “pseudoissue,” one reflecting an intellectual disease, “a totally outdated epistemology” known as “inductionism.” The present article addresses some of Oksanen's complaints. His critique is based on a misconception of pseudoreplication, reflects unawareness of most of the literature on the topic, and mistakenly argues that the seriousness of the error is a function of whether an experiment is conducted in an inductive or deductive spirit. Oksanen's advocacy of using resources available for large scale ecology more for large numbers of experiments with unreplicated treatments than for fewer experiments with modest replication of treatments is unrealistic. It is based on an overly optimistic view of the ability of a meta-analysis to compensate for deficiencies, such as very noisy estimates of treatment effects, of the individual studies that are fed into it. A definition is offered of the term manipulative experiment, since adequate ones are lacking in the literature. Attention is called to the fact that for certain types of manipulative experiments lacking treatment replication, there are valid ways to test for treatment effects.
The benefits of physical edges in gesture-making: empirical support for an edge-based unistroke alphabet

People with motor impairments often cannot use a keyboard or a mouse. Our previous work showed that a handheld device, connected to a PC, could be effective for computer access for some people with motor impairments. But text entry was slow, and the popular unistroke methods like Graffiti proved difficult for some people with motor control problems. We are now investigating how physical edges can provide stability for stylus gestures, and we are designing a unistroke alphabet whose letter-forms are defined along the edges of a small plastic square hole. This paper presents data on the benefits of physical edges in making gestures. It then describes EdgeWrite, a new unistroke alphabet designed to leverage physical edges for greater stability in text entry.
Controlled Expression of nif and isc Iron-Sulfur Protein Maturation Components Reveals Target Specificity and Limited Functional Replacement between the Two Systems

The nitrogen-fixing organism Azotobacter vinelandii contains at least two systems that catalyze formation of [Fe-S] clusters. One of these systems is encoded by nif genes, whose products supply [Fe-S] clusters required for maturation of nitrogenase. The other system is encoded by isc genes, whose products are required for maturation of [Fe-S] proteins that participate in general metabolic processes. The two systems are similar in that they include an enzyme for the mobilization of sulfur (NifS or IscS) and an assembly scaffold (NifU or IscU) upon which [Fe-S] clusters are formed. Normal cellular levels of the Nif system, which supplies [Fe-S] clusters for the maturation of nitrogenase, cannot also supply [Fe-S] clusters for the maturation of other cellular [Fe-S] proteins. Conversely, when produced at the normal physiological levels, the Isc system cannot supply [Fe-S] clusters for the maturation of nitrogenase. In the present work we found that such target specificity for IscU can be overcome by elevated production of NifU. We also found that NifU, when expressed at normal levels, is able to partially replace the function of IscU if cells are cultured under low-oxygen-availability conditions. In contrast to the situation with IscU, we could not establish conditions in which the function of IscS could be replaced by NifS. We also found that elevated expression of the Isc components, as a result of deletion of the regulatory iscR gene, improved the capacity for nitrogen-fixing growth of strains deficient in either NifU or NifS.
Deterministic cavity QED with single atoms

Individual laser-cooled atoms are delivered on-demand from a single atom magneto-optic trap to a high-finesse optical cavity using an optical conveyor. Strong coupling of the atom with the cavity field allows simultaneous cooling and detection of individual atoms for time scales exceeding 15 s. We demonstrate the ability to manipulate the position of a single atom relative to the cavity mode with excellent control and reproducibility.
Asbestos and Cancer: Epidemiological and Public Health Controversies

This paper discusses many of the currently controversial issues surrounding asbestos health effects and their relationship to cancer risk assessment and risk management. The major conclusions reached from this analysis are: (1) All asbestos fiber types are carcinogenic and pose a threat to human health. Therefore, all fiber types should be regulated similarly. (2) The health risks associated with indoor asbestos exposure are uncertain. Available data show that some groups, such as building maintenance personnel (among others), may contract asbestos-related diseases secondary to indoor exposure. Clearly, additional research is needed to accurately determine the extent and nature of disease risk under these conditions. (3) Controlled use has proved an elusive goal. Limited information from underdeveloped countries parallels the experience of Western industrialized nations. Efforts by the Canadian government to establish markets for asbestos in these areas should be opposed. (4) Finally, asbestos-related cancer risk is no longer confined to asbestos industry workers. Asbestos-related mesothelioma has been documented in a wide variety of occupational and nonoccupational settings, highlighting the need for continued surveillance to minimize potential health risks.
Estimating 3D body pose using uncalibrated cameras

An approach for estimating 3D body pose from multiple, uncalibrated views is proposed. First, a mapping from image features to 2D body joint locations is computed using a statistical framework that yields a set of several body pose hypotheses. The concept of a "virtual camera" is introduced that makes this mapping invariant to translation, image-plane rotation, and scaling of the input. As a consequence, the calibration matrices (intrinsics) of the virtual cameras can be considered completely known, and their poses are known up to a single angular displacement parameter Given pose hypotheses obtained in the multiple virtual camera views, the recovery of 3D body pose and camera relative orientations is formulated as a stochastic optimization problem. An Expectation-Maximization algorithm is derived that can obtain the locally most likely (self-consistent) combination of body pose hypotheses. Performance of the approach is evaluated with synthetic sequences as well as real video sequences of human motion.
FcγRIIb Modulation of Surface Immunoglobulin-induced Akt Activation in Murine B Cells

We examined activation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt in the murine B cell line A20. Akt is activated in a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PtdIns 3-kinase)-dependent manner upon stimulation of the antigen receptor, surface immunoglobulin (sIg). In contrast, Akt induction is reduced upon co-clustering of sIg with the B cell IgG receptor, FcγRIIb. Co-clustering of sIg-FcγRIIb transmits a dominant negative signal and is associated with reduced accumulation of the PtdIns 3-kinase product phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns 3,4,5-P3), known to be a potent activator of Akt. PtdIns 3-kinase is activated to the same extent with and without FcγRIIb co-ligation, indicating conditions supporting the generation of PtdIns 3,4,5-P3. We hypothesized that the decreased Akt activity arises from the consumption of PtdIns 3,4,5-P3 by the inositol-5-phosphatase Src homology 2-containing inositol 5-phosphatase (SHIP), which has been shown by us to be tyrosine-phosphorylated and associated with FcγRIIb when the latter is co-ligated. In direct support of this hypothesis, we report here that Akt induction is greatly reduced in fibroblasts expressing catalytically active but not inactive SHIP. Likewise, the reduction in Akt activity upon sIg-FcγRIIb co-clustering is absent from avian B cells lacking expression of SHIP. These findings indicate that SHIP acts as a negative regulator of Akt activation.
Hospice Care Following Heart Failure Admission: What Next?

Heart disease is the leading general cause of death in the United States, and heart failure (HF) contributes to the death of approximately 260,000 persons in the United States each year. In contrast to cancer, hospice care is relatively underutilized for HF. Hospice care has grown steadily in the past decade, but advanced cardiac disease is the diagnosis for only 11.5% of hospice admissions (although some frail elderly persons with HF may be admitted with a ‘‘debility unspecified’’ diagnosis, which represents 13.1% of hospice admission diagnoses). In this issue of the Journal of Cardiac Failure, Whellan and colleagues report rates of hospital discharge to hospice for HF patients enrolled in the Get With The Guidelines registry. This report largely reinforces data reported from the ADHERE registry nearly a decade ago. Hospice rates (about 2% of discharges) and patient characteristics (advanced age, lower systolic blood pressure, higher volume status) have not really changed in the years between the 2 registries. In the ADHERE study, we found that patients discharged to hospice were very similar to those who died during the hospitalization based on their admission characteristics, and that they differed in that those who died had significantly more invasive cardiac procedures. Similarly, in the present study, patients sent to hospice had lower rates of invasive cardiac procedures than those discharged elsewhere. It might be that patient characteristics or preferences drive this less aggressive approach to care that includes hospice referral. What directs similar hospitalized patient to invasive procedures versus a palliative approach needs elucidation. There are many opportunities to better incorporate communication about prognosis and decision making regarding care options with patients and their families into HF care. These elements of patient-centered care are likely
Disparities in the Prenatal Detection of Critical Congenital Heart Disease

Objectives Prenatal diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease, which requires surgical or catheter intervention in the first 30 days of life, allows for delivery at a specialized center and can reduce preoperative morbidity and mortality. We sought to identify the risk factors for a missed prenatal diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease. Methods Patients presenting to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin with critical congenital heart disease from 2007 to 2013 were included. Those with a prenatal diagnosis were compared with those with a postnatal diagnosis. Results The cohort included 535 patients with prenatal diagnosis made in 326 (61%). The prenatal diagnostic rate improved from 44% in 2007 to 69% in 2013. Independent factors associated with a postnatal diagnosis were a lesion that required a view other than a four chamber view to make the diagnosis (p < 0.0001), absence of another organ system anomaly (p < 0.0001), and living in a higher poverty (p = 0.02) or lower population density communities (p = 0.002). Conclusions While the prenatal diagnostic rate for critical congenital heart disease is improving, those living in impoverished or rural communities are at highest risk of not having a diagnosis made prenatally. Interventions to improve prenatal detection of congenital heart disease should target these vulnerable areas. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical Identifiers for Detecting Underlying Closed Cervical Fractures

& Abstract Background: Although uncommon, closed cervical fractures (CCFs) may present in orthopedic clinical settings despite previous workup. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics associated with missed CCF. Methods: The study was a retrospective database exploration of a cohort of subjects within a department of surgery with cervical pain. The sample consisted of 162 patients seen for a surgical consult for a number of cervical conditions. The examination time frame represented a clinical examination and imaging confirmation of diagnosis after an original initial visit by another provider. Descriptive and diagnostic accuracy values including sensitivity/specificity and positive/negative likelihood ratios (LR+/LR) were calculated for each targeted variable. Clustered analyses were calculated using the patient history and situational characteristics. Results: Eleven patients in the sample were diagnosed with CCF (6.7%). Six variables were significantly associated with a missed CCF. Using these six variables, it was found that failure to exhibit a condition of 2 of the 6 variables (1 or fewer) was the strongest in ruling out the condition (LR = 0.0; post-test probability with a negative finding = 0%), whereas a finding of 4 of 6 was the most diagnostic for ruling in the condition (LR += 32; post-test probability with a positive finding = 70%). Conclusions: The findings in this sample suggest that select patient history or situational factors are still useful even after initial examination and clinicians must stay vigilant because CCFs may be missed during emergent care screens. &
Generation of Three-Dimensional Lake Model Forecasts for Lake Erie*

A one-way coupled atmospheric‐lake modeling system was developed to generate short-term, mesoscale lake circulation, water level, and temperature forecasts for Lake Erie. The coupled system consisted of the semioperational versions of the Pennsylvania State University‐National Center for Atmospheric Research threedimensional, mesoscale meteorological model (MM4), and the three-dimensional lake circulation model of the Great Lakes Forecasting System (GLFS). The coupled system was tested using archived MM4 36-h forecasts for three cases during 1992 and 1993. The cases were chosen to demonstrate and evaluate the forecasts produced by the coupled system during severe lake conditions and at different stages in the lake’s annual thermal cycle. For each case, the lake model was run for 36 h using surface heat and momentum fluxes derived from MM4’s hourly meteorological forecasts and surface water temperatures from the lake model. Evaluations of the lake forecasts were conducted by comparing forecasts to observations and lake model hindcasts. Lake temperatures were generally predicted well by the coupled system. Below the surface, the forecasts depicted the evolution of the lake’s thermal structure, although not as rapidly as in the hindcasts. The greatest shortcomings were in the predictions of peak water levels and times of occurrence. The deficiencies in the lake forecasts were related primarily to wind direction errors and underestimation of surface wind speeds by the atmospheric model. The three cases demonstrated both the potential and limitations of daily high-resolution lake forecasts for the Great Lakes. Twice daily or more frequent lake forecasts are now feasible for Lake Erie with the operational implementation of mesoscale atmospheric models such as the U.S. National Weather Service’s Eta Model and Rapid Update Cycle.
John H. Ostrom and John S. McIntosh (new edition): Marsh's Dinosaurs: the collections from Como Bluff

(2001). John H. Ostrom and John S. McIntosh (new edition): Marsh's Dinosaurs: the collections from Como Bluff. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 784-784.
Between Country Variations in the Application of the Principle of Auditor Confidentiality: A European Setting

Proponents of mutual recognition of accounting principles and auditing standards across-borders assume a minimal level of uniformity in the application of basic accounting and auditing standards. Furthermore, international accounting firms proclaim a worldwide uniformity of the services they render. The first goal of this research was to test the existence of such uniformity as it applies to the principle of auditor confidentiality when embedded within an ethical dilemma. The second goal was to examine the uniformity of the factors that influenced the auditor's decisions regarding their implementation of the principle of confidentiality. The third goal was to examine whether between-country differences in the application of auditor confidentiality or the factors that influenced that judgment could be associated with the frequently used cultural constructs identified by Hofstede (1984). This research examines the importance of confidential information obtained from one client on the audit opinion expressed on a second client. The sample includes 287 partners, senior managers, managers and seniors from international auditing firms located in Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The analysis indicated the presence of inter-country differences in auditor confidentiality. Our analysis indicates considerable between-country variation in the relative importance of the factors considered when making that decision - with some similarity based on geographic region. The analysis also indicated that the only significant Hofstede cultural construct factor associated with the noted variances was that of masculinity/femininity. The implications of these findings potentially affect the policies and claims relating to between-country recognition of accounting and auditing practices.
Hemodynamic and humoral responses to enalapril and nifedipine in the rat

The hemodynamic and humoral effects of enalapril, an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and nifedipine, a calcium-entry blocker, were evaluated in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Rats received enalapril (5 mg/kg, po) or vehicle, followed in one hour by nifedipine (2.5 mg/kg, ip) or its vehicle. After treatment with enalapril alone, systolic blood pressure (BP) declined over a 3 hour period from 204 +/- 4 (mean +/- SE) to 168 +/- 6 mm Hg and remained suppressed for an additional 4 hours. Heart rate (HR) did not change. Plasma renin activity (PRA) increased approximately 9-fold and serum ACE was maximally inhibited. BP response to nifedipine was more rapid, greater in magnitude (-59 +/- 6 mm Hg) and shorter in duration; heart rate increased and remained elevated for 2.5 hours. PRA only rose two-fold. After the drugs in combination, BP declined as rapidly and to the same degree as after nifedipine and remained reduced for a longer duration. Treatment with enalapril attenuated the reflex tachycardia observed after nifedipine. These data suggest that coadministration of an ACE inhibitor and calcium-entry blocker may provide better blood pressure control than either drug class alone and at the same time prevent the reflex tachycardia frequently observed after nifedipine.
The Effects of Time Delay in Rating and Amount of Information Observed on Performance Rating Accuracy

A fundamental assumption underlying the performance appraisal process (that raters can make accurate ratings based on a limited number of observations from previous time periods) was tested in a la...
Clathrin-mediated endocytosis in budding yeast at a glance

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis is an essential cellular process that involves the concerted assembly and disassembly of many different proteins at the plasma membrane. In yeast, live-cell imaging has shown that the spatiotemporal dynamics of these proteins is highly stereotypical. Recent work has focused on determining how the timing and functions of endocytic proteins are regulated. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and accompanying poster, we review our current knowledge of the timeline of endocytic site maturation and discuss recent works focusing on how phosphorylation, ubiquitylation and lipids regulate various aspects of the process.
Risk factors associated with post-extubation stridor in the trauma intensive care unit

Abstract Background Post-extubation stridor is an uncommon complication in medical intensive care units (ICUs) but has not been well studied in trauma patients. We sought to determine the incidence of reintubation due to stridor in trauma patients and describe associated risk factors. Methods A retrospective review of all intubated trauma patients was performed. Data collected included presence of stridor, demographic data, and details of intubation and extubation. Results Of all trauma patients reintubated, 31% were for stridor. Although female gender, age less than 18, blunt mechanism, and duration of intubation 5 days or more were associated with reintubation for stridor, endotracheal tube diameter was not. Mortality was not increased with reintubation. Conclusions Trauma ICU patients are reintubated for stridor at a higher rate than medical ICU patients. Age, gender, blunt mechanism, and duration of intubation are risk factors for this complication.
2 OBESITY AND GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION: EXPOSING THE ACHILLES HEEL OF EARLY DIABETIC CARDIOMYOPATHY.

Background The alarming rise in the incidence of obesity has paralleled the surge in the incidence of impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes) and overt diabetes. The cardiovascular sequelae of insulin resistance are thought to occur later, along with the development of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Yet emerging evidence suggesting early organ dysfunction in insulin resistance (such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) points to an early visceral ectopic fat deposition referred to as lipotoxicity. We sought to evaluate the effects of insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance on cardiac function in otherwise healthy overweight volunteers. Methods Twenty healthy obese and overweight volunteers (mean age 42 ± 6 years; 15 females) underwent glucose tolerance testing, direct insulin measurements, as well as dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA, to assess subcutaneous and visceral fat mass). The cardiac evaluation included complete two-dimensional, Doppler, and tissue velocity imaging (TVI). The postprocessing of the TVI data was performed on an EchoPac work station (GE Health Systems) and the data were analyzed using Pearson correlation model and unpaired Student9s t-test. Results The mean weight of the subjects was 90 ± 12 kg, mean BMI of 32 ± 4 kg/m2, and mean systolic BP of 127 ± 15. The mean fasting blood glucose levels was 91 ± 13 with a mean HbA1C of 5.7 ± 0.4. The peak diastolic strain rate showed a significant inverse relationship with subcutaneous fat mass as well as fasting and 2-hour blood glucose levels (r = .54, p Conclusion Diastolic dysfunction occurs early in the course of obesity and glucose intolerance and may be a precursor of overt diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Trade, FDI and Organization of International Production with Incomplete Contracts

Employing a model with multi-stage production, the paper analyses the endogenous decision of firm boundaries as well as production location within a global industry. With incomplete contracting, a firm decides its ownership and location structure at different production stage according to the principle of maximizing profits and eventually the three equilibrium forms come into being: exporting domestic firms, horizontal and vertical international production. Output of different organization forms depends on the co-effects of specialization structure, extent of contractual incompleteness, scale economy, relative wage rate and costs of trade. The analysis sheds light on the relationship between trade, investment and firm organization in global economy.
Intracellular recordings from gallbladder ganglia of opossums

Postganglionic parasympathetic neurons of the opossum gallbladder were studied using morphological and intracellular electrophysiological recording techniques. On average there were 17 ganglia/cm2 with 8 neurons/ganglion arranged as loosely or densely packed clusters. Intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase identified two types of neurons. Most of the neurons (approximately 80%) had a single long process that extended beyond the ganglion border with few or no short additional neurites. The other type was multipolar, having several processes that did not appear to extend beyond the ganglion border. Gallbladder neurons had passive and active electrical properties similar to other parasympathetic ganglion cells. Most of neurons studied (71%) responded to intracellular injection of suprathreshold depolarizing current with a short burst of action potentials. The remaining neurons (29%) responded with only an initial action potential. Seventy percent of the neurons tested received nicotinic fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs). Nineteen percent of these neurons also exhibited a slow depolarizing response following repetitive orthodromic nerve stimulation. Cholecystokinin octapeptide sulfate (CCK-8, 0.1-500 nM) had no effect on resting membrane potential or membrane input resistance. However, CCK-8 increased the amplitude of fast EPSPs evoked by orthodromic nerve stimulation by facilitating release of acetylcholine because CCK-8 had no effect on the postsynaptic response to exogenously applied acetylcholine. These data suggest that the ganglionated plexus of the gallbladder may mediate some of the observed effects of CCK-8 on gallbladder motility.
The Basketmaker II Fiber Industry of Boomerang Shelter, Southeastern Utah: A Synthesis of Cordage Morphology Analysis and Experimentation

ABSTRACTThe analysis of archaeological fiber industries encompasses the study of cordage and associated materials such as tools, raw materials, and byproducts. In addition to cordage, this research explores dimensions of fiber analysis that archaeologists often neglect. The Basketmaker II people of Boomerang Shelter left behind clues of an important industry that drew upon the faunal and botanical fibrous materials of the local landscape. From the many fibrous materials, most notably Yucca angustissima, the early agriculturalists of the Colorado Plateau created cordage as an essential part of their material culture. This study of the Boomerang Shelter Basketmaker II fiber industry explores the implications of site use and labor input through an analysis of archaeological fiber assemblage and experimental archaeology.
Prefabricated Insoles and Modifications

Over-the-counter, ready-made, or prefabricated insoles are marketed widely for relief of foot pain. Shoe stores, sporting goods stores, grocery stores, and drug stores have shelves filled with such inserts in all different shapes and sizes. One is able to type “shoe insert” or “over-the-counter foot insert” into a search engine and find more than one million choices. It is not uncommon for the average athlete to self-treat a foot problem using these products prior to seeking professional advice. It is also common for the medical professional to suggest prefabricated insoles before referring them to a podiatric physician or other specialist for care. There are instances when these insoles resolve, or at least improve, the patient’s main complaint; however, there are also times when the nonprescription device does more harm than good. Unfortunately, some professionals and nonprofessionals (shoe stores, internet sites, etc.) market over-the-counter insoles as true, corrective orthoses.
Unemployment and voter turnout revisited: A brief note

This brief study revisits the issue of whether higher unemployment rates elicit an increase in the voter participation rate. Using a state-level panel dataset for all five of the Presidential election cycles of this century, it is hypothesized that, following Cebula (2008) and Burden and Wichowsky (2014), the higher the unemployment rate, the greater the degree to which eligible voters, whether unemployed or employed, show up at the polls, arguably because they are expressing the concerns and fears regarding prevailing economic policies and conditions and because by voting they are expressing the desire for changes to address those concerns and fears. The estimation implies that a one percentage point higher unemployment rate leads to a nearly 1.0% higher voter participation rate. This result is in principle compatible with and supportive of the hypothesis that higher unemployment rates motivate voters and the empirical finding of a positive voter turnout/unemployment rate association obtained in the studies by Cebula (2008) and Burden and Wichowsky (2014). Moreover, this finding is potentially important because it implies that elected officials are, to at least some degree, held accountable by the electorate for a weakly performing economy.
Coping with Anxiety: Ten Simple Ways to Relieve Anxiety, Fear, and Worry

Coping with Anxiety appears to be an abbreviated version of the Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (Bourne, 2015). Written in an accessible way for self-help by people without formal mental health trainin...