cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Natural variation in root exudation of GABA and DIMBOA impacts the maize root endosphere and rhizosphere microbiomes

Root exudates are important for shaping root-associated microbiomes. However, studies on a wider range of metabolites in exudates are required for a comprehensive understanding about their influence on microbial communities. We identified maize inbred lines that differ in exudate concentrations of DIMBOA and GABA using a semi-hydroponic system. These lines were grown in the field to determine the changes in microbial diversity and gene expression due to varying concentrations of DIMBOA and GABA in exudates using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and metatranscriptomics. Results showed individual and interaction effects of DIMBOA and GABA on the rhizosphere and root endosphere beta-diversity, most strongly at the V10 growth stage. The main bacterial families affected by both compounds were Ktedonobacteraceae and Xanthomonadaceae. Higher concentrations of DIMBOA in exudates affected the rhizosphere metatranscriptome, enriching for KEGG pathways associated with plant disease. This study validated the use of natural variation within plant species as a powerful approach for understanding the role of root exudates on microbiome selection. We also showed that a semi-hydroponic system can be used to identify maize genotypes that differ in GABA and DIMBOA exudate concentrations under field conditions. The impact of GABA exudation on root-associated microbiomes was shown for the first time.
Metal-free visible-light-promoted C(sp3)–H functionalization of aliphatic cyclic ethers using trace O2

Presented is a light-promoted C–C bond forming reaction yielding sulfone and phosphate derivatives at room temperature in the absence of metals or photoredox catalyst. This transformation proceeds in neat conditions through an auto-oxidation mechanism which is maintained through the leaching of trace amounts of O2 as sole green oxidant.
Novel PTCH1 and concurrent TP53 mutations in four patients with numerous non-syndromic basal cell carcinomas: The paradigm of oncogenic synergy.

There has been a significant increase in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) incidence, the most common cancer in humans, and the age of presentation with the first diagnosis of BCC has decreased in past decades. In this study, we investigated the possibility of genetic markers that can lead to earlier and closer observation of patients at high risk for development of multiple BCCs. The overall goal is to decrease the morbidity and the economic burden of diagnosis and treatment of recurring and/or advanced BCCs. Four patients with numerous BCCs, some of them exceptionally large, were included in this study. A sample of representative BCCs, normal non-sun-exposed skin, and blood samples were obtained from each patient. Whole-exome sequencing of DNA was conducted on all samples, and a series of bioinformatics filtering was performed to identify potentially pathogenic sequence variants. The analysis of the data resulted in detection of oncogenic mutations in PTCH1, two of which being novel, and concurrent mutations in TP53 in BCC tumors of all four patients. Such mutations may explain the numerous and post-excision-recurring nature of the BCCs of exceptionally large size observed in all these patients, and they can be suggested to serve as a genetic marker for high-risk patients for early detection, prognostication and close follow-up.
The Use of Cine-Computed Tomography to Investigate Carpal Kinematics

Hyperextension wrist injuries have been associated with a high degree of wrist morbidity.10,21,23 The inexorable progression of scaphoid rotary subluxation or nonunion to carpal collapse and subsequent degenerative arthritis has been well documented in the literature.15,23 Examination of the acutely injured wrist is limited by pain and swelling, and initial radiographs are frequently normal. Subtle instabilities of the wrist are notoriously difficult to study with plain films alone. Carpal overlap, normal variations, and inconsistencies in wrist positioning make interpretation and comparison of plain films inaccurate.6,14 Cineradiography is useful, but is still limited by osseous overlap and can not be quantitated. More exacting measurements used in the laboratory are not applicable to use in the clinical situation, as these often require dissection of the wrist and placement of radiographic markers or light-emitting diodes.114,27 In fact, few kinematic studies of the normal wrist have been performed in vivo, due to these limitations.
Sharing Knowledge in Global Virtual Teams: How do Chinese Team Members Perceive the Impact of National Cultural Differences on Knowledge Sharing?

I propose to study the impact of national cultural differences on knowledge sharing activities in global virtual teams. Specially, I will put the research in a specific context of Chinese culture and the U.S. culture. Only Chinese perceptions of the impact of cultural differences between China and the U.S. will be studied. I propose to use a two-phase study. In phase one, an exploratory case study approach will be used to explore how cultural differences impact knowledge sharing activities in global virtual teams and what kind of other factors that may moderate the impacts. The purpose of the case study is to understand the phenomenon under investigation and generate a set of hypotheses. In phase two, a survey will be used to test the hypotheses generated from phase one.
Proteasome Parts at Gene Promoters

The proteasome is a garbage disposal unit in eukaryotic cells that degrades proteins tagged with ubiquitin molecules. In their Perspective, [Ottosen and colleagues][1] discuss new findings ([ Gonzalez et al .][2]) revealing that certain components of the proteasome may be involved in processes other than protein degradation. Six ATPases in the base section of the 19 S proteasomal subcomplex are recruited to sites of gene activation, suggesting that they may be involved in transcription. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/296/5567/479 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/296/5567/548
Predictors of 30-day morbidity and mortality in transnasal microscopic pituitary tumor excision.

Background There is a lack of population-based, multi-institutional analyses of factors associated with morbidity and mortality following pituitary tumor excision. Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project files were used to compile information on patients that had undergone transnasal microscopic pituitary tumor resection from 2006 to 2012. Patient demographics, comorbidities, operative characteristics, and morbidity and mortality in the 30 days following surgery were included. Multivariate logistic regression was used for categorical variables and multivariate linear regression was used for continuous variables to evaluate factors leading to adverse events. Results A total of 658 patients were included, of which 58 (8.81%) experienced a complication, reoperation or death in the 30 days following surgery. The most common complications were reoperation (3.37%), followed by unplanned reintubation (1.99%), urinary tract infection (1.68%), and transfusion (1.68%). Predictors of any complication, reoperation, or death include preoperative sepsis (odds ratio [OR] = 7.596) and lower preoperative serum albumin (OR = 6.667). Younger age predicted surgical complications (OR = 1.105). Predictors of medical complications include higher body mass index (OR = 1.112), chronic steroid use (OR = 6.568), preoperative sepsis (OR = 15.297), and lower preoperative serum hematocrit (OR = 1.225). Predictors of increased total length of hospital stay were older age (β = 0.146), higher body mass index (β = 0.188), chronic steroid use (β = 0.142), preoperative sepsis (β = 0.489), and lower preoperative serum albumin (β = −0.213). Conclusion Although adverse events following pituitary tumor excision are low, awareness of factors associated with morbidity and mortality in the early postoperative period may allow for improved patient monitoring and outcomes.
Advisory/oversight councils: An alternative approach to farmer/citizen participation in agenda setting at land-grant universities

Reviews of historical and organizational literature provide the backdrop for a general discussion of citizen input into land-grant universities and for a specific case study: the Citizens Advisory/Oversight Council of the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This strong citizens' council, established in 1989, took its form in response to institutionally structured fears among university personnel, on one hand, and farmers and citizen groups on the other. Each group's recognition that the other's concerns were legitimate led to an acceptable resolution. We describe the principal characteristics of the resulting successful CIAS Council that is composed of farmers and representatives of the state's environmental community. Such councils facilitate new approaches to integrating the craft and science of farming, and for linking the production side of agricultural systems with policy issues.
Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind.

Hope is defined as the perceived capability to derive pathways to desired goals, and motivate oneself via agency thinking to use those pathways. The adult and child hope scales that are derived from hope theory are described. Hope theory is compared to theories of learned optimism, optimism, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. Higher hope consistently is related to better outcomes in academics, athletics, physical health, psychological adjustment, and psychotherapy. Processes that lessen hope in children and adults are reviewed. Using the hope theory definition, no evidence is found for "false" hope. Future research is encouraged in regard to accurately enhancing hope in medical feedback and helping people to pursue those goals for which they are best suited.
A Monte Carlo investigation of Swank noise for thick, segmented, crystalline scintillators for radiotherapy imaging

Thick, segmented scintillating detectors, consisting of 2D matrices of scintillator crystals separated by optically opaque septal walls, hold considerable potential for significantly improving the performance of megavoltage (MV) active matrix, flat-panel imagers (AMFPIs). Initial simulation studies of the radiation transport properties of segmented detectors have indicated the possibility of significant improvement in DQE compared to conventional MV AMFPIs based on phosphor screen detectors. It is therefore interesting to investigate how the generation and transport of secondary optical photons affect the DQE performance of such segmented detectors. One effect that can degrade DQE performance is optical Swank noise (quantified by the optical Swank factor I(opt)), which is induced by depth-dependent variations in optical gain. In this study, Monte Carlo simulations of radiation and optical transport have been used to examine I(opt) and zero-frequency DQE for segmented CsI:Tl and BGO detectors at different thicknesses and element-to-element pitches. For these detectors, I(opt) and DQE were studied as a function of various optical parameters, including absorption and scattering in the scintillator, absorption at the top reflector and septal walls, as well as scattering at the side surfaces of the scintillator crystals. The results indicate that I(opt) and DQE are only weakly affected by absorption and scattering in the scintillator, as well as by absorption at the top reflector. However, in some cases, these metrics were found to be significantly degraded by absorption at the septal walls and scattering at the scintillator side surfaces. Moreover, such degradations are more significant for detectors with greater thickness or smaller element pitch. At 1.016 mm pitch and with optimized optical properties, 40 mm thick segmented CsI:Tl and BGO detectors are predicted to provide DQE values of approximately 29% and 42%, corresponding to improvement by factors of approximately 29 and 42, respectively, compared to that of conventional MV AMFPIs.
The use of induction linacs with nonlinear magnetic drive as high average power accelerators

Abstract The marriage of induction linac technology with Nonlinear Magnetic Modulators has produced some unique capabilities. It appears possible to produce electron beams with average currents measured in amperes, at gradients exceeding 1 MeV/m, and with power efficiencies approaching 50%. A 2 MeV, 5 kA electron accelerator is under construction at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to allow us to demonstrate some of these concepts. Progress on this project is reported here.
Synthesis, characterization, and stability of Fe-MCM-41 for production of carbon nanotubes by acetylene pyrolysis.

Fe-substituted MCM-41 molecular sieves with ca. 1, 2, and 3 wt % Fe were synthesized hydrothermally using different sources of colloidal silica (HiSil and Cab-O-Sil) and characterized by ICP, XRD, N2 physisorption, UV−vis, EPR, TPR, and X-ray absorption. Catalysts synthesized from Cab-O-Sil showed higher structural order and stability than those from HiSil. The local environment of Fe in the mesoporous material as studied by UV−vis reveals the dominance of framework Fe in all the as-synthesized Fe−MCM-41 samples. Dislodgement of some Fe species to extraframework location occurs upon calcination, and this effect is more severe for Fe−MCM-41 (2 wt %) and Fe−MCM-41 (3 wt %), as confirmed by EPR and X-ray absorption. These materials have been used as catalytic templates for the production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by acetylene pyrolysis at atmospheric pressure. A relationship between the Fe loading in MCM-41 and the carbon species produced during this reaction has been established. Using our optimized condit...
Studies on peptidyl nucleoside antibiotics: synthesis and antifungal evaluation of pyranosyl nucleoside analogs of nikkomycin.

Background: The Streptomyces-derived nikkomycins are a unique class of peptidyl nucleoside natural products, with potent antifungal activity against a variety of pathogenic fungi. Results: In continuation of our structure–activity relationship studies on the nikkomycins, this paper describes the strategic design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a ‘doubly modified’ generation of nikkomycin analogs. The structural modifications included a ring-expanded carbohydrate core and a simplified peptidyl side chain. Biological screening of these novel analogs against clinical isolates of various human pathogenic fungi indicated that the described modifications of the structural features of nikkomycin could be a potentially beneficial strategy towards optimizing the antifungal potency of this class of peptidyl nucleoside antibiotics. Conclusion: Continued investigation of the pyranosyl nikkomycin analogs is warranted to fully explore and optimize the structural features of this novel lead for the desired devel...
Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis with glomerulonephritis and pseudotumor cerebri.

Patients with recurrent urticarial vasculitis associated with arthralgias, abdominal pain, glomerulonephritis, and hypocomplementemia have been recently recognized (1–3). We are reporting a woman with similar multisystem involvement who has developed chronic pseudotumor cerebri. The only previously reported patient with this syndrome complicated by pseudotumor cerebri (4) exhibited the neurologic manifestation as an acute phenomenon only.
Development of swallowing and feeding: Prenatal through first year of life

The development of feeding and swallowing involves a highly complex set of interactions that begin in embryologic and fetal periods and continue through infancy and early childhood. This article will focus on swallowing and feeding development in infants who are developing normally with a review of some aspects of prenatal development that provide a basis for in utero sucking and swallowing. Non-nutritive sucking in healthy preterm infants, nipple feeding in preterm and term infants, and selected processes of continued development of oral skills for feeding throughout the first year of life will be discussed. Advances in research have provided new information in our understanding of the neurophysiology related to swallowing, premature infants' sucking and swallowing patterns, and changes in patterns from preterm to near term to term infants. Oral skill development as texture changes are made throughout the second half of the first year of life is an under studied phenomenon. Knowledge of normal developmental progression is essential for professionals to appreciate differences from normal in infants and children with feeding and swallowing disorders. Additional research of infants and children who demonstrate overall typical development in oral skills for feeding is encouraged and will provide helpful reference points in increasing understanding of children who exhibit differences from typical development. It is hoped that new technology will provide noninvasive means of delineating all phases of sucking and swallowing from prenatal through infancy. Further related topics in other articles of this issue provide a comprehensive review of factors influencing oral intake, growth, nutrition, and neurodevelopmental status of children.
Long-Term Tree Cover Dynamics in a Pinyon-Juniper Woodland: Climate-Change-Type Drought Resets Successional Clock

Woody vegetation has expanded in coverage over the past century in many places globally, exemplified by pinyon-juniper changes in the Southwestern United States. Extreme drought is one of the few non-management drivers besides fire that might reverse such cover changes, but this has not been well documented. Here, we assess 68 years of tree cover dynamics across an elevation gradient of a pinyon-juniper woodland using aerial photographs (1936 and 1959) and QuickBird imagery (2004). Canopy cover increased 32% from 1936 to the onset of a major drought (2002). The largest relative increase in canopy cover occurred from 1936 to 1959 at the higher elevations, but these gains were eliminated by fires occurring from 1959 to 2002, during which time lower elevations with low canopy cover exhibited the greatest relative increases. The 2002–2004 drought reduced canopy cover by 55%, which eliminated gains in cover that occurred since 1936. Relative tree cover loss was highest at low elevations with low tree cover, but absolute tree cover loss was greater in areas of high tree cover, which increased with elevation. The loss of more than half of the canopy cover during a 2-year drought period was much greater than losses due to fire or possible increases due to historic land use (for example, grazing). These results suggest that regional-scale climatic influences may be more important than land use legacies in controlling tree cover of these and perhaps other semiarid woodlands over longer time scales—notable given that similar episodes of tree mortality are projected in coming decades with climate change.
Perturbation analysis of internal balancing for lightly damped mechanical systems with gyroscopic and circulatory forces

Approximate expressions are developed for internally balanced singular values corresponding to the modes of mechanical systems with gyroscopic forces, light damping, and small circulatory forces. A brief overview is first given of the balanced realization model reduction method, including a discussion of recent work. The models considered are defined, and a perturbation analysis is used to show that the modal representation becomes asymptotically balanced as damping reduces to zero. The approximate balanced singular values are calculated, and a simple example of a flexible, dual-spin spacecraft is given as an illustration of the results.
Age‐ and Dose‐Related Effects on MSC Engraftment Levels and Anatomical Distribution in the Central Nervous Systems of Nonhuman Primates: Identification of Novel MSC Subpopulations That Respond to Guidance Cues in Brain

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated efficacy as therapeutic vectors in rodent models of neurological diseases, but few studies have evaluated their safety and efficacy in a relevant large animal model. Previously, we reported that MSCs transplanted to the central nervous systems (CNS) of adult rhesus macaques engrafted at low levels without adversely affecting animal health, behavior, or motor function. Herein, we injected MSCs intracranially into 10 healthy infant macaques and quantified their engraftment levels and mapped their anatomical distribution in brain by real-time polymerase chain reaction using an sry gene-specific probe. These analyses revealed that MSC engraftment levels in brain were on average 18-fold higher with a maximal observed difference of 180-fold in neonates as compared with that reported previously for young adult macaques. Moreover, engraftment levels were 30-fold higher after injection of a low versus high cell dose and engrafted MSCs were nonrandomly distributed throughout the infant brain and localized to specific anatomical regions. Identification of unique subpopulations of macaque and human MSCs that express receptor proteins known to regulate tangential migration of interneurons may explain their migration patterns in brain. Extensive monitoring of infant transplant recipients using a battery of age appropriate tests found no evidence of any long-term adverse effects on the health or social, behavioral, cognitive, or motor abilities of animals up to 6 months post-transplant. Therefore, direct intracranial injection represents a safe means to deliver therapeutic levels of MSCs to the CNS. Moreover, expressed guidance receptors on MSC subpopulations may regulate migration of cells in the host brain. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Cross-Sectional Study of Macrodefects in MBE Dual-Band HgCdTe on CdZnTe

HgCdTe dual-band mid-wave infrared/long-wave infrared focal-plane arrays on CdZnTe are a key component in advanced electrooptic sensor applications. Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) has been used successfully for growth of dual-band layers on larger CdZnTe substrates. However, the macrodefect density, which is known to reduce the pixel operability and its run-to-run variation, is larger when compared with layers grown on Si substrate. This paper reports the macrodefect density versus size signature of a well-optimized MBE dual-band growth and a cross-sectional study of a macrodefect that represents the most prevalent class using focused ion beam, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The results show that the macrodefect originates from a void, which in turn is associated with a pit on the CdZnTe substrate.
Lipids in soil

As much as 20% of soil humus occurs in the form of lipids. High values are characteristic of Podzol soils and highmoor peats. Lipids of the following types are known to be present: paraffin hydrocarbons, phospholipids, fats, waxes, fatty acids, and terpenoids. A long list of compounds have been reported; the identification of many of them require confirmation using modern analytical techniques. Some of the lipids known to occur in soil have phytotoxic properties; these may have a depressing effect on seed germination and on root and shoot growth. Waxes and similar materials may be responsible for the difficultly wettable condition of certain sands.
Validity of parental report of influenza vaccination in young children seeking medical care.

Abstract Background Despite frequent use of self-reported information to determine pediatric influenza vaccination coverage, little data are available on the validity of parental reporting of their child's influenza vaccination status and on factors affecting its accuracy. Methods We compared parent reported influenza vaccination of children to documented reports of vaccination collected from medical records (the criterion standard) among children aged 6–59 months who presented to selected hospitals, emergency departments, and clinics in three U.S. counties with acute respiratory illness during three influenza seasons (November through May of 2004–2007). Demographic and epidemiologic data were collected from chart reviews and parental surveys. Results Among 3072 children aged 6–59 months, 47.5% were reported by the parent to have received influenza vaccine and 39.5% of children had medical record verification of influenza vaccination. Sensitivity and specificity of parental reporting was 92.1% and 82.3%, respectively, when compared to the immunization record. However, 17.7% of children whose parents reported vaccination had no influenza vaccination documented in their medical records, and this proportion was even higher at 28.6%, among children with an underlying high-risk medical condition. Greater reporting accuracy was associated with younger age of child (6–23 months vs. 24–59 months), white non-Hispanic race/ethnicity, having health insurance, and having a mother with a college education. Conclusions Our findings indicate that although parental report of influenza vaccination is fairly reliable (∼76–96%), over reporting by parents often occurs and immunization record review remains the preferable method for determining vaccination status in children.
The Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency Is Similar between Thyroid Nodule and Thyroid Cancer Patients

Introduction. There are reported associations between vitamin D deficiency and breast, prostate, and colon cancer, but the relationship in thyroid cancer has not been evaluated. Methods. We evaluated serum calcium, creatinine, albumin, and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH-D) in 42 thyroid nodule, 45 thyroid cancer in remission, and 24 active thyroid cancer patients. Results. 25-OH-D was not different between groups. The percent with 25-OH-D levels /=30 kg/m(2) to be the only significant predictor of vitamin D deficiency. Conclusions. Rates of vitamin D deficiency are similar in thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer, although higher than the general population. This is different than previous studies for other cancers, which show higher rates of vitamin D deficiency. BMI was the only predictor of vitamin D deficiency.
HERCULES IN ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ART: MASCULINE LABOUR AND HOMOEROTIC LIBIDO

Hercules was an exemplar of moral and civic virtue when represented in Italian Renaissance art. How he embodied masculinity, however, has not been explored. A popular but complicated figure, he visualized the burdens and tensions of idealized masculinity. By examining his battle against desire, as represented in his struggle with Antaeus, this article points to multivalence and varying receptions, from moralizing allegory to erotic fantasy. It concentrates on imagery from the ‘Florentine Picture Chronicle’, Pollaiuolo, Mantegna and his circle, and Michelangelo.
Structural Bridging Network Position is Associated with HIV Status in a Younger Black Men Who Have Sex with Men Epidemic

Younger Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) ages 16–29 have the highest rates of HIV in the United States. Despite increased attention to social and sexual networks as a framework for biomedical intervention, the role of measured network positions, such as bridging and their relationship to HIV risk has received limited attention. A network sample (N = 620) of BMSM respondents (N = 154) and their MSM and transgendered person network members (N = 466) was generated through respondent driven sampling of BMSM and elicitation of their personal networks. Bridging status of each network member was determined by a constraint measure and was used to assess the relationship between this bridging and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), sex-drug use (SDU), group sex (GS) and HIV status within the network in South Chicago. Low, moderate and high bridging was observed in 411 (66.8 %), 81 (13.2 %) and 123 (20.0 %) of the network. In addition to age and having sex with men only, moderate and high levels of bridging were associated with HIV status (aOR 3.19; 95 % CI 1.58–6.45 and aOR 3.83; 95 % CI 1.23–11.95, respectively). Risk behaviors observed including UAS, GS, and SDU were not associated with HIV status, however, they clustered together in their associations with one another. Bridging network position but not risk behavior was associated with HIV status in this network sample of younger BMSM. Socio-structural features such as position within the network may be important when implementing effective HIV prevention interventions in younger BMSM populations.
On the generalized LDPC codes from multiple component codes suitable for high-speed optical transport

A class of GLDPC-codes is proposed consisting of multiple local-codes suitable for code-rate-adaptation in high-speed optical-transport-networks, providing excellent coding-gains. GLDPC-decoder for proposed codes is more suitable for parallelization in FPGA/ASIC-hardware compared to LDPC-decoder.
Intracranial Facial Nerve Crush Injury and Facial Motor Nuclei Cell Loss in Rats

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to (1) assess the degree of motoneuron cell loss and (2) the combinatorial effects of electrical stimulation (ES) and testosterone propionate (TP) on cell survival following an intracranial facial nerve crush injury and (3) compare these results to distal injuries.Study DesignProspective, randomized, controlled animal study.MethodsSprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: intracranial sham surgery or intracranial crush injury with or without ES and TP treatments. The intracranial sham group underwent exposure of the meatal segment of the right facial nerve. The intracranial crush groups underwent a crush of the meatal segment following exposure with or without ES and TP treatment immediately following the injury and followed for 8 weeks. Brain sections were thionin-stained, and facial motor nuclei (FMN) were counted using light microscopy. Results were compared to intratemporal and extracranial facial nerve crush injuries.ResultsIntracranial crush inj...
Impact of bed availability on requesting and offering in-hospital intensive care unit transfers: a survey study of generalists and intensivists.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate whether bed availability affects a physician's decision to request or offer an intensive care unit (ICU) transfer. Materials and Methods We administered mail-based surveys to determine the respondents’ probability of either requesting an ICU transfer (generalist respondents) or offering an ICU transfer (intensivist respondents). Respondents randomly received clinical vignettes that were identical except for the number of available ICU beds (one or seven available ICU beds). Respondents also made predictions about the patient's outcomes. Results Among generalists and intensivists, there were wide ranges in decisions about ICU transfer. In the Generalist ICU request study, the average probability of transfer with one versus seven available ICU beds was 52.2% and 58.5% (P = .41), respectively. In the Intensivist ICU offer study, the average probability of transfer with one versus seven available ICU beds was 62.5% and 57.4% (P = .24), respectively. The most consistent association with decisions about ICU transfer was the predicted probability that a patient would require an ICU bed in the future if not transferred currently. Conclusions There is high variability in the decision to request or offer ICU beds. There was not a significant association between bed availability and ICU transfer decisions.
The relative interior of the base polyhedron and the core

This note provides two necessary and sufficient conditions for the relative interior of the core (and the base polyhedron) to be non-empty: (i) the second largest excess of the prenucleolus is negative; (ii) the grand coalition's payoff is greater than the minimum no-blocking payoff. Such conditions imply an intuitive method in proving core existence, they also imply results on the sensitivity of the base polyhedron and the core.
Assessing psychotropic medication side effects among children. A reliability study.

The Dosage Record Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (DOTES) is a rating scale for measuring the presence and intensity of psychotropic medication side effects. Studies to evaluate its reliability have not been published. The purposes of this pilot study are to (1) develop a protocol for training raters to use the DOTES, (2) assess inter-rater agreement, 3) examine the reasons for disagreement among raters to clarify training procedures and symptom definitions, and (4) further refine this instrument for use in clinical and research settings. Five nurses were trained to use the DOTES to rate the absence or presence and intensity of specific medication side effects. After training, Raters 1,2, and 3 watched a videotape of a nurse interviewing a 13-year-old child and completed the DOTES rating scale. There was agreement on the intensities of 6 (67%) of the 9 symptoms identified as present and agreement on 17 (89%) of the 19 symptoms identified as absent. Process tracings were conducted on the ratings of Nurses 4 and 5 to elicit the criteria they used to determine their ratings. The results of the process tracings were used to identify ambiguities that led to disagreement among raters so that the training protocol and interview could be improved.
Denial and Deception in Cyber Defense

As attack techniques evolve, cybersystems must also evolve to provide the best continuous defense. Leveraging classical denial and deception techniques to understand the specifics of adversary attacks enables an organization to build an active, threat-based cyber defense. The Web extra at https://youtu.be/9g_HLNXiLto is a video that describes how in January 2012, MITRE performed a real-time, red team/blue team cyber-wargame experiment that presented the opportunity to blend cyber-warfare with traditional mission planning and execution, including denial and deception tradecraft.
The Medical Directive. A new comprehensive advance care document

Living wills have been strongly endorsed in principle. Unfortunately, existing living wills are rarely used in clinical practice because they are vague and difficult to apply. To remedy this, we propose a new advance care document: the Medical Directive. The Medical Directive delineates four paradigmatic scenarios, defined by prognosis and disability of incompetent patients. In each scenario, patients are to indicate their preferences regarding specific life-sustaining interventions. The Medical Directive also provides for the designation of a proxy to make decisions in circumstances where the patient's preferences are uncertain. Finally, there is a section for a statement of wishes regarding organ donation. The Medical Directive provides an opportunity for significant improvement in the documentation of patients' preferences regarding life-sustaining care in states of incompetence. As an expression of a patient's wishes, the Medical Directive should be honored by courts and should facilitate physicianpatient discussions of critical and terminal care options. (JAMA. 1989;261:3288-3293)
Responses of the Gut to Moderate Energy Demands in a Small Herbivore (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

The objective of this study was to determine compensatory responses of the gut to moderate increases in energy demand in the meadow vole ( Microtus pennsylvanicus ). Energy utilization and gut characteristics of voles with elevated metabolic rate, and thus, elevated energy demand were compared to those of voles with non-elevated energy demands. Food intake increased by 40% with increased energy demand while turnover time of digesta decreased by 26%. Despite shorter turnover time and a 4% loss of digestive efficiency, digested energy increased by 30%. The major changes of the gut that occurred with elevated energy demand were increases in the wet and dry mass of the small intestine, specifically that of the mucosal layer, and the wet and dry mass of the caecum. There were no significant changes in the mass of the stomach or colon. In contrast to studies with more extreme increases in energy demand, there was no change in the length or circumference of any gut organ. We propose that moderate increases in nutrient utilization are accomplished through proliferation of existing gut tissue, particularly mucosal tissue, without the cost of producing additional length of gut organ.
Statistical sentence condensation using ambiguity packing and stochastic disambiguation methods for Lexical-Functional Grammar

We present an application of ambiguity packing and stochastic disambiguation techniques for Lexical-Functional Grammars (LFG) to the domain of sentence condensation. Our system incorporates a linguistic parser/generator for LFG, a transfer component for parse reduction operating on packed parse forests, and a maximum-entropy model for stochastic output selection. Furthermore, we propose the use of standard parser evaluation methods for automatically evaluating the summarization quality of sentence condensation systems. An experimental evaluation of summarization quality shows a close correlation between the automatic parse-based evaluation and a manual evaluation of generated strings. Overall summarization quality of the proposed system is state-of-the-art, with guaranteed grammaticality of the system output due to the use of a constraint-based parser/generator.
The chemosensory basis for behavioral divergence involved in sympatric host shifts. I. Characterizing olfactory receptor neuron classes responding to key host volatiles

The recent shift of Rhagoletis pomonella from its native host hawthorn to introduced, domestic apple has been implicated as an example of sympatric speciation. Recent studies suggest that host volatile preference might play a fundamental role in host shifts and subsequent speciation in this group. Single sensillum electrophysiology was used to test a proposed hypothesis that differences in R. pomonella olfactory preference are due to changes in the number or odor specificity of olfactory receptor neurons. Individuals were analyzed from apple, hawthorn, and flowering dogwood-origin populations, as well as from the blueberry maggot, Rhagoletis mendax Curran (an outgroup). Eleven compounds were selected as biologically relevant stimuli from previous electroantennographic/behavioral studies of the three R. pomonella populations to host fruit volatiles. Cluster analysis of 99 neuron responses showed that cells from all tested populations could be grouped into the same five classes, ranging from those responding to one or two volatiles to those responding to several host volatiles. Topographical mapping also indicated that antennal neuron locations did not differ by class or fly taxa. Our results do not support the hypothesis that differences in host preference among Rhagoletis populations are a result of alterations in the number or class of receptor neurons responding to host volatiles.
SITE OF UPTAKE OF SOIL-APPLIED HERBICIDES*

Summary. We conducted studies to determine the effects on corn (Zea mays L, var. Indiana 654) and pea (Pisum sativum L. var. Alaska) of localizing various herbicides in the soil, using a double plastic pot technique which ensured separate exposure of the root and shoot zones of the plants to treated soil. Effects on corn and pea were similar in relation to site of uptake. 2,4-D-amine, naptalam, simazine, diuron and dalapon-sodium entered primarily through the roots. Some shoot entry and also severe inhibition of roots occurred in soil treated with 2,4-D and naptalam; these were noticed only to a slight extent with the other three herbicides. EPTC, chlorpropham and trifluraiin were most effective when applied to the shoot zone. Little effect on foliage growth was evident when the root zone alone was treated. However, roots in treated soil were severely inhibited by these three herbicides. Dinoseb displayed a contact type of action, injuring both shoots and roots. Treatment of both zones had an additive effect. Entry of chlorthal-methyl which was tested on a susceptible species, sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) was mainly through the shoot, with only a slight effect on top growth when roots alone were treated. Roots in treated soil were slightly inhibited. Localisation de l'absorption des herbicides appliques sur le sol
Aircraft Characterization in Icing Using Flight Test Data

The University of Illinois, in conjunction with NASA Glenn, has conducted a flight test program to investigate aircraft icing effects and develop aircraft icing effects characterization techniques. Flights were conducted in 2001 and 2002 to collect data in clear air as well as in natural icing conditions. These data were used to identify the effects of icing on aircraft performance and control. It was also used to aid in the development of an H ∞ characterization algorithm being designed specifically for the Smart Icing System (SIS). Flight test data analysis was accomplished using a modified stepwise regression technique. Systems IDentification Programs for Aircraft (SIDPAC) was used for the linear regression analysis. The results of this analysis revealed multiple parameters that clearly indicated both the presence and severity of the ice accretion. Atmospheric turbulence was shown to significantly affect this method of parameter identification. A real-time H ∞ parameter identification (PID) algorithm has previously been developed as part of the icing characterization function of the Smart Icing System. This paper presents an initial validation of the H ∞ PID algorithm wherein the algorithm is applied to the flight test data after the fact, but in a manner that is consistent with the ultimate real-time application. This mock real-time validation demonstrates that the H ∞ PID algorithm provides pitching moment derivative estimates that are consistent with those provided by SIDPAC for both clear-air and icing conditions in the absence of turbulence. As with the stepwise regression technique, the H
Preventing Sudden Death in the Adult with Congenital Heart Disease

Adults with repaired congenital heart disease represent a complex and heterogeneous group of patients that are increasingly surviving beyond childhood. Patients have a variety of diagnoses that include specific structural anomalies, assorted physiologic derangements, and unique techniques for surgical repair. During long-term follow-up, even the most excellent surgical outcome may result in anatomic stenosis and insufficiency, cardiac rhythm disturbance, and myocardial dysfunction. Any of these abnormalities, alone or in combination, may result in significant morbidity and mortality. Sudden death is commonly due to a cardiac etiology and arrhythmias are frequently suspected to be the cause. Unfortunately, arrhythmias are difficult to predict and may be potentially lethal at their initial presentation. In addition, a wide spectrum of arrhythmias, both supraventricular and ventricular, are possible, depending on the specific diagnosis and type of repair performed. This review will focus primarily on arrhythmias as a cause of sudden cardiac death in this patient population. Particularly important considerations regarding arrhythmias in adults with congenital heart disease include the fact that supraventricular arrhythmias may be as lethal as ventricular arrhythmias, arrhythmia substrates develop in a unique manner when compared with other adult cohorts, and the electrophysiologic status of patients with repaired congenital heart disease must be considered together with the hemodynamic result.
Instructional Module Development (IMODTM) system: Building faculty expertise in outcome-based course design

A well-designed and constructed course plan or curriculum is an integral part of the foundation of effective STEM instruction. This paper presents a framework for outcome-based course design process and its translation into a semantic web-based tool; i.e., the IMOD™ system. This system guides STEM educators through the complex task of curriculum design, ensures tight alignment between various components of a course (i.e., learning objectives, content, assessments, and pedagogy), and provides relevant information about research-based pedagogical and assessment strategies. The theoretical framework is presented, along with descriptions and screenshots of the implementation of key features.
MULTIPLE UNIVERSES AND THE FINE‐TUNING ARGUMENT: A RESPONSE TO RODNEY HOLDER

: In this article I examine a common objection to the fine-tuning argument (an objection which may be referred to as the atheistic many universes (AMU) objection). A reply to this objection due to Roger White has been the subject of much controversy; White's reply has been criticized by Rodney Holder, on the one hand, and Neil Manson and Michael Thrush on the other. In this paper I analyze Holder's work in an effort to determine whether the AMU objection successfully defeats the fine-tuning argument. I conclude that the fine-tuning argument can be reformulated so as to avoid the AMU objection.
Performance Measurement Through Cash Flow Ratios and Traditional Ratios: A Comparison of Commercial and Casino Hotel Companies

ABSTRACT This study examines the performance of commercial hotel and casino hotel companies by employing both cash flow ratios and traditional financial ratios over the past five years. Using the financial database from the Hotel and Motel section of the Mergent Online with SIC 7011, independent sample t-tests were used for the analysis. The performance of the commercial hotel and casino hotel companies was measured using liquidity, solvency, and operational efficiency indicators. Results show that traditional ratios generated different results from cash flow ratios in liquidity. Casino hotel companies were found to have significantly higher liquidity ratios than commercial hotel companies, indicating a possibility that the difference may be caused by the type of hotel.
Background potassium current active during the plateau of the action potential in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

Background outward K+ currents in guinea pig ventricular myocytes were characterized over a broad range of membrane potentials, including those corresponding to the plateau of the action potential. The background current that is blocked by 1 mM Ba2+ (IK,p) activates within 5 msec at positive potentials, does not inactivate, and deactivates very rapidly on repolarization. IK,p is insensitive to Cl- channel blockers, internal or external [Cl-], dihydropyridines, and sulfonylureas. In contrast, the delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) was not completely blocked even by 30 mM Ba2+. Ba(2+)-sensitive current density increased progressively from 0.16 +/- 0.04 pA/pF at 0 mV to 0.52 +/- 0.21 pA/pF at +80 mV (n = 13, mean +/- SEM). The background current remains present when [K+]o is reduced to 0 mM, which suppresses the inward rectifier K+ current (IK1). These and other features suggest that IK,p is generated by K+ channels that are distinct from IK1 or IK. The kinetics and voltage dependence of IK,p render it capable of modulating both the height and duration of the cardiac action potential.
Erroneous Assumptions Underlying Burleson's Critique.

Recent studies have indicated that construct differentiation scores, based on the quantity of constructs embedded in written essays, correlate significantly with the total number of words contained in the response. Burleson et. al. have questioned Beatty and Payne's 1984 study, published in Communication Quarterly, on conceptual and methodological grounds. This essay explores the erroneous assumptions underlying Burleson's critique. In addition, the evidence Burleson selects to support the critique is examined in context.
The role of ammonia, L-glutamate, and cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate in the regulation of ammonia assimilation in Rhizobium japonicum

The effects of three factors (ammonia, L-glutamate, and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate) on the ammonia assimilatory processes in aerobically grown Rhizobium japonicum colony derivatives were examined. Ammonia repressed glutamine synthetase activity and increased the average state of adenylylation of this enzyme. The addition of L-glutamate drastically decreased growth and strongly repressed glutamate synthase levels. Glutamine synthetase repression and adenylylation state were also increased by L-glutamate. The presence of cyclic AMP led to the repression of all three NH+4 assimilatory enzymes.