cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short communication: Substituting dry distillers grains with solubles and rumen-protected amino acids for soybean meal in late-lactation cows’ diets based on corn silage or ryegrass silage

Excess protein in dairy cattle diets increases production costs and contributes to environmental pollution. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feeding dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) supplemented with rumen-protected Lys and Met in place of solvent-extracted soybean meal on the performance of late-lactation cows. Two experiments were carried out, with each using 24 late-lactating dairy cows distributed among 4 pens. In trial 1, corn silage was the main forage source. Control (HP1) total mixed ration (TMR) contained 16.3% crude protein (CP) with soybean meal as the main protein source. Treatment TMR (LP1) had 13.7% CP when soybean meal was replaced with DDGS and rumen-protected Lys and Met. Forage in trial 2 was ryegrass silage; control TMR (HP2; 15.4% CP) contained soybean meal and rumen-protected Met, whereas treatment TMR (LP2; 13.8% CP) contained DDGS and rumen-protected Lys and Met. Trials were analyzed as crossover design using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary NC) with cow as sampling unit and pen as the experimental unit. Treatments were similar in dry matter intake (21.0 and 20.4 kg/cow per day for HP1 and LP1, respectively) and milk yield (20.7 and 20.5 kg/cow per day for HP1 and LP1, respectively) during trial 1. Milk composition was similar between treatments, averaging 4.22, 3.73, 4.54, and 9.15, respectively, for fat, protein, lactose, and solids nonfat. Milk urea nitrogen decreased from 17.2 mg/dL for HP1 to 9.93 mg/dL for LP1. In trial 2, no significant differences were observed for dry matter intake (21.4 and 20.9 kg/cow per day for HP2 and LP2, respectively), milk yield (28.1 and 26.6 kg/d for HP2 and LP2, respectively), fat yield (0.99 vs. 0.92 kg/d for HP2 and LP2, respectively), protein yield (0.94 vs. 0.86 kg/d for HP2 and LP2, respectively) and lactose yield (1.37 vs. 1.28 for HP2 and LP2, respectively). Milk urea nitrogen decreased from 9.88 mg/dL with HP2 to 6.39 mg/dL with the LP2 treatment. Milk N efficiency tended to be higher for LP treatments in trial 1, but not in trial 2. Low milk urea N suggested nitrogen losses to the environment may be lower when cows were fed diets based on DDGS in both trials. The studies indicated that DDGS with rumen-protected Lys and Met could substitute solvent-extracted soybean meal in low-protein corn silage- and ryegrass silage-based diets for late-lactation dairy cows averaging 20.6 or 27.4 kg of milk/d, respectively.
Typechecking for Semistructured Data

Semistructured data is used in data exchange applications, like B2B and EAI, and represents data in a flexible format. Every data item has a unique tag (also called label), and data items can be nested. Formally, a semistructured data instance is a tree whose nodes are labeled with tags and leaves are labeled with data values. XML [Con98] is a standard syntax for describing such trees; Fig. 1 shows a tree representing a semistructured data instance and its XML syntax. We will refer interchangeably to semistructured data instances as trees or XML trees.
Early cancer therapy response assessment by quantitative F-18 FDG PET/CT

Purpose: Reliable noninvasive quantitative methods for assessing early response to chemotherapy are vital for development of more personalized cancer therapy management, by allowing earlier decisions regarding therapy changes. The CT RECIST method is widely used; however, CT does not provide information on the physiologic properties of the tumor. In this study, F-18 FDG (FDG) PET is compared to CT in predicting response to chemotherapy using changes in imaging biomarkers of tumor metabolism and size early after initiation of therapy compared to baseline (BL) and follow-up. Materials and Methods: Nine patients with malignant cancer (lung, colorectal, or lymphoma) entered this early therapy response study. All patients received a BL scan before the initiation of chemotherapy, an early therapy assessment (ETA) scan between 2 to 7 weeks after initiation of therapy, and a study end point (FTA) scan between 3 to 9 months. The average length of time between ETA and FTA scans was 4 months. All PET/CT scans were performed on GE ST PET/CT scanner, approximately 60 min after patients received IV injection of approximately 15 mCi of F-18 FDG. All PET/CT images were registered and analyzed on MIMvista workstation to calculate FDG SUV values and CT RECIST measurements. By comparing BL and FTA scans, patients were classified as responders or non-responders based on RECIST. To compare FDG PET and CT data, the largest tumor was identified on CT at BL and its area and SUV were measured at ETA and FTA in each patient. Results: At FTA, responders had an average (FTA CT area)/(BL CT area) of 0.40 and average (FTA SUV)/(BL SUV) of 0.25. For non-responders, these values were 1.55 and 1.27 respectively. At ETA, for responders, (ETA CT area)/(BL CT area) averaged 0.65 and (ETA SUV)/(BL SUV) averaged 0.26. For non-responders, these values were 1.19 and 1.15 respectively. Conclusion: FDG uptake reduction at ETA compared to BL can be used to distinguish responders from non-responders, classified based upon RECIST at FTA. This early change in FDG uptake is more sensitive than early CT changes in predicting response to chemotherapy at FTA. Research Support: This research was supported in part by grant U01 CA140230 from the National Cancer Institute to Dr. Mountz.
An exceptionally high boron content supramolecular cuboctahedron.

A boron-rich supramolecular cuboctahedron containing an impressive 240 boron atoms has been synthesized via coordination-driven assembly. The cuboctahedron, which is composed of Cu2+ paddle-wheel nodes and carborane–isophthalic acids, was obtained simply and in high purity. The ability to precisely characterize the nanostructure via X-ray diffraction makes it unique among boron-rich nanostructures.
Mechanical properties of nanocrystalline copper produced by solution-phase synthesis

Nanocrystalline copper powder was produced by a NaBH4 reduction of CuCl in a simple solution phase room temperature reaction. Uniaxial hot pressing in a closed tungsten die was used to compact powder into dense specimens. Samples were analyzed by x-ray diffraction, precision densitometry, electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, and selected area diffraction. Mechanical properties of the consolidated samples were determined by microhardness measurements, three-point bending of rectangular specimens, and compression tests. Yield strength measured for nanocrystalline Cu in the present work was over two times that reported in literature for Cu with comparable grain size and over five times that of conventional Cu. Restricted grain growth observed in the hot-pressed samples and improved mechanical properties are attributed to the presence of boron. A unique method of obtaining homogeneous in situ nanosized reinforcements to strengthen the grain boundaries in nanocrystalline materials is identified.
Recent advances in hydrogen bonding studies involving metal hydrides

Abstract Neutral transition metal hydrides tend to act as proton acceptors towards conventional H-bond proton donors. The resulting species can be precursors of dihydrogen complexes. The BH bonds of boranes are also effective H-bond acceptors. Cationic metal hydrides, in contrast, can act as proton donors toward conventional H-bond acceptors, such as OPPh 3 .
Microporous gel electrolyte Li-ion battery

Abstract This paper describes the fabrication and performance of microporous gel electrolyte (MGE) Li-ion batteries. Fabrication of the MGE battery includes three steps: (1) making a microporous membrane separator by the phase inversion method, (2) activating the battery with a liquid electrolyte, and (3) forming MGE in situ by cycling the battery. The MGE contains three phases: liquid electrolyte, gel electrolyte, and a polymer matrix. MGE has advantages of high ionic conductivity, good adhesion to the electrodes, and good mechanical strength. In this work, poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) copolymer was used as the polymer matrix, and a solution of 1.0 m LiBF 4 dissolved in 1:3 (wt.) mixture of ethylene carbonate and γ-butyrolactone was used as liquid electrolyte. Typically, a MGE gelled with 120 wt.% of liquid electrolyte shows an ionic conductivity of 3.4 mS/cm at 20 °C and the resulting battery can withstand high temperature (60 °C) operation with low capacity fading.
Quasiparticle scattering across the Fermi surface in La2-xMxCuO4

The strength of pairing of quasiparticles on the Fermi surface is greatly influenced by the phase space for scattering processes for which both initial and final states are required to lie on the Fermi surface. We present calculations of this phase space factor throughout the two dimensional plane based on the local density band structure. We find not only the expected peak at the X point, but also a strong enhancement all along the (110) direction. This behavior can be related to the similarity of the local density Fermi surface to the simple tightbinding model bands discussed previously in many contexts, and indicates possible instabilities which have not heretofore been recognized.
Inverse problem of inclusions of polynomial eigenstress

Based on a geometric approach, the Markenscoff result [J. Elast. 49 163 (1998); J. Mech. Phys. Solids 46 2297 (1998)], that the shape classes of inclusions of constant eigenstrain and constant eigenstress form a 9-dimensional manifold, is extended to determine the class of shapes of inclusions of constant eigenstrain and eigenstress, which is a polynomial function. It is found that, in the case of linear stress dependence, it forms a 16-dimensional manifold in 3-D. The approach also allows for a possible numerical determination of the shape of the inclusion. In 2-D, the shape of the perturb domain, from a circle that maintains a linear stress dependence, is determined.
Identification of the Gene Encoding the Escherichia coli Lipid A 4′-Kinase FACILE PHOSPHORYLATION OF ENDOTOXIN ANALOGS WITH RECOMBINANT LpxK

The genes for seven of nine enzymes needed for the biosynthesis of Kdo2-lipid A (Re endotoxin) in Escherichia coli have been reported. We have now identified a novel gene encoding the lipid A 4'-kinase (the sixth step of the pathway). The 4'-kinase transfers the gamma-phosphate of ATP to the 4'-position of a tetraacyldisaccharide 1-phosphate intermediate (termed DS-1-P) to form tetraacyldisaccharide 1,4'-bis-phosphate (lipid IVA). The 4'-phosphate is required for the action of distal enzymes, such as Kdo transferase and also renders lipid A substructures active as endotoxin antagonists or mimetics. Lysates of E. coli generated using individual lambda clones from the ordered Kohara library were assayed for overproduction of 4'-kinase. Only one clone, [218]E1D1, which directed 2-2.5-fold overproduction, was identified. This construct contains 20 kilobase pairs of E. coli DNA from the vicinity of minute 21. Two genes related to the lipid A system map in this region: msbA, encoding a putative translocator, and kdsB, the structural gene for CMP-Kdo synthase. msbA forms an operon with a downstream, essential open reading frame of unknown function, designated orfE. orfE was cloned into a T7 expression system. Washed membranes from cells overexpressing orfE display approximately 2000-fold higher specific activity of 4'-kinase than membranes from cells with vector alone. Membranes containing recombinant, overexpressed 4'-kinase (but not membranes with wild-type kinase levels) efficiently phosphorylate three DS-1-P analogs: 3-aza-DS-1-P, base-treated DS-1-P, and base-treated 3-aza-DS-1-P. A synthetic hexaacylated DS-1-P analog, compound 505, can also be phosphorylated by membranes from the overproducer, yielding [4'-32P] lipid A (endotoxin). The overexpressed lipid A 4'-kinase is very useful for making new 4'-phosphorylated lipid A analogs with potential utility as endotoxin mimetics or antagonists. We suggest that orfE is the structural gene for the 4'-kinase and that it be redesignated lpxK.
Probable optical counterpart of the eclipsing millisecond pulsar system, 1957+20

Following the discovery of an eclipsing, millisecond pulsar 1957+20 (ref. 1) we conducted a series of optical observations to identify the optical counterpart of the system. We report the detection of a probably variable object (hereafter star X) with a mean apparent V magnitude of ∼20 within the astrometric error circle of the equatorial radio position of the pulsar. Star X appears fainter at orbital phase 0.21, the onset of the pulsar eclipse, compared with the quadrature position, suggesting that it is probably the optical counterpart. We argue that the secondary heated by the pulsar wind and not the pulsar itself makes the dominant contribution to the visible radiation from this system. The absolute magnitude of star X is Mv ≈ 10.5, assuming a distance of ∼ 0.8 kpc derived from the dispersion measure. The optical luminosity of the counterpart directly measures the fraction of the pulsar wind power responsible for heating the secondary. Future optical observations may be able to constrain the nature of the pulsar wind.
Downscaling Global Climate Simulations to Regional Scales: Statistical Downscaling versus Dynamical Downscaling

AbstractDownscaling is a fundamental procedure in the assessment of the future climate change impact at regional and watershed scales. Hence, it is important to investigate the spatial variability of the climate conditions that are constructed by various downscaling methods to assess whether each method can properly model the climate conditions at various spatial scales. To gain some insight into this issue with respect to statistical versus dynamical downscaling approaches, an assessment of the precipitation variability from a popular statistical downscaling method [bias correction with spatial disaggregation (BCSD)] and a dynamical downscaling method [by MM5: Fifth-Generation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)/Penn State Mesoscale Model] was performed. This assessment is based on the historical NCAR/National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data, a community climate system model version 3 (CCSM3) global climate model (GCM) control run for the 1950–1999 period, and the C...
Memory effects for glass-like states of solid N2-Ar mixtures

The results of high sensitivity dielectric measurements are reported for solid N2–Ar mixtures for N2 concentrations 49ox ðN2Þo100 mole %. The observations indicate the onset of memory effects for the dielectric susceptibility on thermal cycling to temperatures below 30 K: The temperature dependence of the dielectric susceptibilities in this low temperature regime are observed to be frequency dependent, even for pure N2 samples. These observations are consistent with a departure from ergodicity associated with the trapping of the systems in small regions of a configuration space characterized by a frustration-induced rugged free energy landscape. r 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Case Report Fatal Methyldopa — Associated Granulomatous Hepatitis and Myocarditis

A 78-year-old woman developed spiking fever of obscure etiology while receiving long term therapy with methyldopa and died suddenly seven days after admission to the hospital. Autopsy showed widespread granulomas in the liver, spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow, interstitial myocarditis with granulomatous features and renovascular vasculitis. Eosinophils were prominent in the granulomas and in the myocardium consistent with a drug-induced cell mediated hypersensitivity reaction presumably triggered by methyldopa. The need for a careful drug history in fever of obscure etiology is emphasized.
Functional end-group polymers derived from free-radical chain transfer. I. Kinetic prediction of functionality

The kinetic scheme describing chain transfer in free-radical polymerizations, the Mayo equation, has been rearranged to yield the probability of generating a functional end group by chain transfer (e.g., to a disulfide). The prediction is that a mixture of functional and nonfunctional ends occurs. Examination of literature data shows a number of systems produce more functionality than predicted. Hence, the challenge to devise a new kinetic scheme to account for the increased functionality is made (e.g., by selective reaction of initiator with chain-transfer agent).
The social epidemiologic concept of fundamental cause.

The goal of research in social epidemiology is not simply conceptual clarification or theoretical understanding, but more importantly it is to contribute to, and enhance the health of populations (and so, too, the people who constitute those populations). Undoubtedly, understanding how various individual risk factors such as smoking and obesity affect the health of people does contribute to this goal. However, what is distinctive of much on-going work in social epidemiology is the view that analyses making use of individual-level variables is not enough. In the spirit of Durkheim and Weber, S. Leonard Syme makes this point by writing that just “as bad water and food may be harmful to our health, unhealthful forces in our society may be detrimental to our capacity to make choices and to form opinions” conducive to health and well-being. Advocates of upstream (distal) causes of adverse health outcomes propose to identify the most important of these “unhealthful forces” as the fundamental causes of adverse health outcomes. However, without a clear, theoretically precise and well-grounded understanding of the characteristics of fundamental causes, there is little hope in applying the statistical tools of the health sciences to hypotheses about fundamental causes, their outcomes, and policies intended to enhance the health of populations. This paper begins the process of characterizing the social epidemiological concept of fundamental cause in a theoretically respectable and robust way.
Sound production in scolytidae:chemostimulus of sonic signal by the douglas-fir beetle.

Stridulation by male Dendroctonus pseudotsugae was recorded in response to the natural female attractant (frass) or to three synthetic components of the attractant (frontalin, 3-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one, and trans-verbenol). This stridulation was acoustically distinct from stress sound and correlated with known attraction behavior. The response of female D. pseudotsugae to male stridulation—negation her attraction—was induced by playback of recorded attractant stridulation but not by that of stress sounds. Acoustic communication must be more important in scolytid behavior than it was heretofore believed to be.
A facility upgrade at Texas A&M University for accelerated radioactive beams

The Cyclotron Institute at Texas A&M University is carrying out an upgrade project which will lead to accelerated radioactive ion beams at intermediate energies. The project involves recommissioning a K150 cyclotron for acceleration of stable beams which will be used to produce radioactive ions. Both light-ion and heavy-ion guides will be used to stop and transport the radioactive ions to a charge breeding electron cyclotron resonance ion source. Following charge breeding, highly-charged ions will be injected into the K500 cyclotron, accelerated and then transported to existing equipment to carry out experiments.
Aging-Related Diagnostic Variations: Need for Diagnostic Criteria Appropriate for Elderly Psychiatric Patients

It is commonly thought and taught that most psychiatric disorders other than dementia are much less prevalent among the elderly than among younger adults. This perception is based on a relatively small number of published epidemiologic investigations of the incidence and prevalence of mental illnesses in elderly populations. Most of these studies have had a number of methodologic problems, including improper definitions and diagnostic criteria for older persons. A likely consequence of these misconceptions is that clinically significant and potentially treatable mental illnesses might be overlooked, misdiagnosed, and mistreated in elderly patients. Studies in community samples suggest that many older adults who experience clinically significant psychopathology do not fit easily into our existing nomenclature, and yet are disabled. There is a need to develop aging-appropriate diagnostic criteria for major psychiatric disorders. In this article, we discuss the potential causes of this diagnostic confusion. Four specific classes of disorders-mood (specifically depressive) disorders, schizophrenia (and related psychotic disorders), anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders-are discussed as examples. Finally, we suggest some future steps for clarifying this diagnostic confusion.
Comprehensive computational analysis of Hmd enzymes and paralogs in methanogenic Archaea

Methanogenesis is the sole means of energy production in methanogenic Archaea. H2-forming methylenetetrahydromethanopterin dehydrogenase (Hmd) catalyzes a step in the hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis pathway in class I methanogens. At least one hmd paralog has been identified in nine of the eleven complete genome sequences of class I hydrogenotrophic methanogens. The products of these paralog genes have thus far eluded any detailed functional characterization. Here we present a thorough computational analysis of Hmd enzymes and paralogs that includes state of the art phylogenetic inference, structure prediction, and functional site prediction techniques. We determine that the Hmd enzymes are phylogenetically distinct from Hmd paralogs but share a common overall structure. We predict that the active site of the Hmd enzyme is conserved as a functional site in Hmd paralogs and use this observation to propose possible molecular functions of the paralog that are consistent with previous experimental evidence. We also identify an uncharacterized site in the N-terminal domains of both proteins that is predicted by our methods to directly impart function. This study contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary history, structural conservation, and functional roles, of the Hmd enzymes and paralogs. The results of our phylogenetic and structural analysis constitute datasets that will aid in the future study of the Hmd protein family. Our functional site predictions generate several testable hypotheses that will guide further experimental characterization of the Hmd paralog. This work also represents a novel approach to protein function prediction in which multiple computational methods are integrated to achieve a detailed characterization of proteins that are not well understood.
The molecular basis of odor coding in the Drosophila antenna.

We have analyzed the molecular basis of odor coding in the Drosophila larva. A subset of Or genes is found to be expressed in larval olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). Using an in vivo expression system and electrophysiology, we demonstrate that these genes encode functional odor receptors and determine their response spectra with 27 odors. The receptors vary in their breadth of tuning, exhibit both excitation and inhibition, and show different onset and termination kinetics. An individual receptor appears to transmit signals via a single ORN to a single glomerulus in the larval antennal lobe. We provide a spatial map of odor information in the larval brain and find that ORNs with related functional specificity map to related spatial positions. The results show how one family of receptors underlies odor coding in two markedly different olfactory systems; they also provide a molecular mechanism to explain longstanding observations of larval odor discrimination.
Study design considerations: Conducting global clinical trials in early Alzheimer’s disease

An increasing number of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) clinical trials are being conducted in countries in which such trials have infrequently, if ever, been conducted. The infrastructure for conducting trials in many of these regions is not well developed, leading to particular challenges in collection of biomarkers, which are becoming increasingly important in trials in early AD. Linguistic and cultural differences make scale translation, adaptation, validation and implementation across countries and regions difficult. In addition, multiple translations and versions of scales and differences in their administration increase variability and thus decrease the chance of detecting a signal. These issues are magnified in trials in early AD, where detecting subtle neuropsychological deficits is even more challenging. Two additional significant factors for global AD research include: 1) Differing regulatory authority requirements resulting in the need for repeat studies to satisfy diverse regulatory requirements in different parts of the world; and 2) reimbursement and access may be limited due to different data requirements for country specific economic evaluations. While standardization of biochemical assays and neuroimaging protocols have recently been undertaken, there remains a pressing need for standardization of clinical measures (including translation, linguistic and cultural validation and administration). In addition, a global consensus on regulatory requirements for approval of drugs for the treatment of early AD and identification of universally accepted variables from a cost-effectiveness or value perspective would have significant impact on advancing drug development in early AD.
Observations on maximum entropy processing of MR images

Abstract A maximum entropy (MAXENT) criteria for MR image processing optimizations has previously shown poor performance, but this note observes that there are two entirely different kinds of “data transmission” applications which appear to have been intermixed. In the two cases, “image entropy” actually refers to different kinds of data variables. The previous literature formulations are for transfer of data in which pixel-locations are the transmitted variable, and these pixels may be neither uniform nor constant. The second application concerns the MRI data set for display. Its data variables are image pixel-values of magnetization intensity, and the data transfer mode has the sense of visual display. When MAXENT criteria are modified to address an array of pixel-value intensities, and use a pixel-value information entropy rather than pixel-locations entropy, then successful data processing results. Restoring display visualization from highly nonuniform surface coils for lumbar spine scans are demonstrated, as an example of MAXENT usefulness.
Crisis Management in the Community College

This study examined the decision-making processes of community college presidents when confronted with unexpected and major challenges. During the day-to-day operations of community colleges, presidents typically rely on their best judgment when making routine decisions. However, this decision-making process needs to change when the unexpected occurs and causes a threat to the well-being of the college or the continued tenure of the president. The authors were interested in learning how presidents manage a challenge in order to prevent it from becoming a crisis. Using a multiple-case-study methodology, the authors selected 13 cases for in-depth study. The authors provide recommendations for best practices.
Fundus Autofluorescence Patterns in Primary Intraocular Lymphoma

Purpose:To evaluate fundus autofluorescence (FAF) patterns in patients with primary intraocular (vitreoretinal) lymphoma.Methods:Records of all patients with primary intraocular lymphoma who underwent FAF imaging at the National Eye Institute were reviewed. Fundus autofluorescence patterns were eval
Hydrothermal equilibria and crystal chemistry of phases in the oxide-hydroxide-sulfate systems of La, Pr, and Nd

Abstract Equilibria of the aqueous Ln + O + SO 4 ( Ln = La, Pr, Nd) system have been investigated at water pressures of 120 ± 20 MPa and temperatures of 450 ± 50°C. At low sulfate contents, the UCl 3 -type trihydroxides coexist with the orthorhombic dioxide monosulfates. A second two-phase region, Ln 2 O 2 SO 4 + Ln (OH)SO 4 , appearing at higher sulfate concentrations is followed by a third two-phase region, Ln (OH)SO 4 + Ln 2 (SO 4 ) 3 · n H 2 O. Whereas the monohydroxide monosulfates all have the same monoclinic structure, several new hydrate compositions and structures form in hydrothermal media. X-ray diffraction data indicate that the n = 7 hydrates of La and Pr and the monohydrate of La have closely related orthorhombic structures similar to that of the anhydrous La 2 (SO 4 ) 3 phase obtained by decomposition of the hydrates at low temperature. The n = 5 sulfate hydrates of Pr and Nd have also been characterized, and a metastable La 2 (OH) 4 SO 4 phase has been identified. Lattice parameters and diffraction data obtained by powder and single crystal methods are reported, and the thermal decomposition reactions of the products are described.
Surgical treatment of malignant tumors of the parotid gland.

Abstract The results of treatment of 129 malignant tumors of the parotid gland are reviewed. Tumors with a low to moderate degree of malignancy comprised 67 per cent of the group; the five year recurrence rate was 27 per cent and the survival rate 92 per cent. Tumors with a high degree of malignancy comprised 33 per cent of the group; the five year recurrence rate was 35 per cent and the survival rate 60 per cent. The treatment of the former group should most often be parotidectomy, occasionally with preservation of the facial nerve, while that of the latter should be parotidectomy, with sacrifice of the nerve, and radical neck dissection.
Maturation of contralateral brain-stem responses in preterm infants

Average auditory brain-stem responses (ABRs) evoked by left and right ear stimulation of varying intensities were recorded from ipsilateral and contralateral scalp placements in human neonates. Subjects included pre-term infants, healthy full-term infants and high risk, full-term infants. Pre-term infants were classified into 4 age groups ranging from 29 to 41 weeks post-conceptional age (PCA). Significant ipsilateral/contralateral differences were observed. Further, this effect was highly dependent upon age. The youngest pre-term infants were devoid of contralateral activity despite robust ipsilateral responses. The emergence and evolution of the contralateral wave form could readily be visualized from 31 to 37 weeks PCA. The contralateral response was uninfluenced by stimulus intensity but appeared to be related to the amplitude of the ipsilateral response. No systematic ear differences were noted. Pre-term infants tested between 38 and 41 weeks PCA (term equivalence) showed some persisting immaturity in terms of the ABR. Healthy and sick full-term infants were indistinguishable with respect to ipsilateral or contralateral potentials. On the other hand, very ill 6-week-old infants showed specific contralateral abnormalities.
Ozone isotope measurements in the stratosphere

Mass spectrometer measurements of ozone made during two balloon flights included its heavy isotopes at mass 49 and 50. Both flights were flown during the day and during summer from Palestine, TX. At float altitudes above 42 km the enrichments in heavy ozone were 41 percent and 23 percent, respectively. The enrichment appears to be mass independent since, at high altitudes, both 49 and 50 show the same enhancement. During the descent the enrichment in heavy ozone decreased, faster during the first flight than during the second, reaching values between 15 and 20 percent above 30 km. Near and below this altitude another increase is observed. During a night flight, previously reported, an enhancement in heavy ozone of over 40 percent at 32 km was found, decreasing both toward higher and lower altitudes.
Physician Decisions Regarding Life Support in the Intensive Care Unit

A patient is admitted to a medical intensive care unit (ICU) at a cost of$2,000 to $3,500 a day. The hospital trusts that the physician will attempt to treat this Medicare patient within diagnosis-related group (DRG) allowances, and avoid incurring the average $20,000 loss per ICU Medicare patient.’ The patient trusts that the physician will provide effective treatment in his or her best interest, support death with dignity, and not prolong life when there is no hope. The relatives trust that their loved one will be saved at all costs, but that they and the patient should not suffer financial ruin as a result. The physician has turned to colleagues and clinical studies for answers. Which patients admitted to the ICU will survive and which will die? Sufficient data to state that the patient will not survive even with “heroic measures” frequently are not available. There is unspoken pressure to avoid lawsuit. The hospital implicitly sees the physician as its advocate. Law and good medical practice require that the physician be the patient’s advocate. The US health care system is in a state of crisis, with the costs ofmedical care the highest in the world. Use of ICUs, which use four times the resources of routine hospital care,2 should be a balance of existing resources and likelihood of benefit to particular patients. In fact, it is driven by technology that has developed in the last few decades without adequate assessment of efficacy; physicians, patients, and families who want “everything done” without recognizing when medical intervention is futile ; and legal precedent that lags behind actual medical practice and humanistic medical care.4 The purpose of this article is to describe the medical, economic, and ethical issues confronting physicians in attempting to determine whether life support should be instituted or continued for critically ill patients. To provide background, a brief review of medical determinants ofoutcome, family preferences, and costs in the ICU will be presented. With this background, suggestions are provided for how the physician can function effectively and ethically in this environment if he or she is knowledgeable regarding current medical determinants of outcome, the likely problems in assessing whether treatment is futile, and the importance of including the patient, the family, nurses, and social workers in the decision-making process.
Solenofilomorphidae (Acoela), Major Component of a New Turbellarian Association in the Sulfide System

Solenofilomorphids are of world-wide distribution and live in association with the sulfide system, the anoxic and micro-oxic layers of marine sediments. The 58 species of turbellarians on an intertidal sand flat in North Carolina, U.S.A., formed three species assemblages. The solenofilomorphids are a major part of a sulfide system assemblage which is centered in the mid-tide region and which is intermediate in density and diversity between the two separate species assemblages in the surface layers of the upper and lower tide regions. Oxygen avoidance does not explain restriction of species to the sulfide system, and food preferences for and behavioral responses to specific bacterial species are suggested as proximal causes for observed distributions.
(p, V, T) of compressed fluid ethene☆

Abstract New measurements of the melting line and (p, V, T) of fluid ethene are reported. (p, V, T) determinations have been made in the amount-of-substance density range from about 13 mol dm−3 to greater than 23 mol dm−3 at pressures to 33 MPa. About 250 (p, V, T) points have been determined. Melting pressures to 21 MPa are reported.
Training to competency in colonoscopy: assessing and defining competency standards

Background How to define competency in colonoscopy, how to assess it, and how much training is required are questions that experts in endoscopy have grappled with since the advent of the procedure. Objective To describe methods to assess core endoscopy skills in trainees and learning curves for these parameters and to define competency thresholds for these skills. Design A prospective descriptive assessment of trainee colonoscopy performance. Setting Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Subjects Gastroenterology fellows undergoing endoscopy training. Intervention From July 2007 through June 2010, fellows' core cognitive and motor colonoscopy skills were assessed by using the Mayo Colonoscopy Skills Assessment Tool (MCSAT). Main Outcome Measurements Average MCSAT item scores and learning curves are described. Minimal competence thresholds for each MSCAT item are established by using the contrasting groups method. Results Forty-one GI fellows performed 6635 colonoscopies; 4103 procedures (62%) were assessed by using the MCSAT. Average scores of 3.5 set the competency bar for each of the core skills and were reached by 275 procedures on average. Independent cecal intubation rates of 85% and cecal intubation times of 16 minutes or less were also achieved at 275 procedures on average. Limitations Limited to a single center. Conclusions Learning curves for core colonoscopy skills are described. MCSAT scores of 3.5, cecal intubation rates of 85%, and intubation times of less than 16 minutes are recommended as minimal competency criteria. It takes on average 275 procedures to achieve competence in colonoscopy. This is more than previous gastroenterology training recommendations and far more than current training requirements in other specialties.
Time dependent studies of the aurora—I. Ion density and composition

Abstract Ion densities and composition are investigated in a time varying model aurora. There is a time lag between turning on the source of ionization and the resulting increase in ion densities that depends on the species and the height level in the ionsophere, so that altitude profiles of auroral electron densities evolve with time. Characteristic buildup times for the ionization are a few seconds at the altitude of maximum energy deposition, increasing to tens of seconds above and below this level. A wide range of composition ratios, n (NO + / n (O 2 + and n (NO + / n (O + ), can be expected, depending on the time an observation is made during buildup or decay of ionization. The concentrations of atomic nitrogen and nitric oxide increase as a result of auroral ionization, but the associated characteristic times are long compared to the average duration of ‘auroral event’. Thus, intermittent auroral bombardment could result in a gradual buildup of these minor neutral constituents in the auroral atmosphere. Variations in the electron density during pulsating, fluctuating or coruscating aurora lag the source function variations by a few seconds in a typical aurora.
Structure and Conformation of 1-β-D-Ribofuranosylpyridin-4-One-3- Carboxamide, A Novel Nucleoside from Human Urine with a Rare Ribose Pucker

Abstract The pyridine nucleoside, 1-β-d-ribofuranosylpyridin-4-one-3- carboxamide (PCR) is one of several novel nucleosides isolated in our laboratory from the urine of chronic myelogenous leukemia patients. Its crystal structure and conformation were studied to complete its characterization. This nucleoside exhibits an anti (XCN = 66.9°) conformation across the glycosidic bond, a rare pucker of the ribose ring, C(4′)exo-C(3′)endo (4T3), and g+ across the C(4′)-C(5′) bond. The amino group of the carboxamide is proximal to and hydrogen bonded intramolecularly to 0(4). Nuclear magnetic resonance studies show that the intramolecular hydrogen bond is present in the solution state also, but the solution conformation of the furanose ring is not the same as that observed in the solid.
Delivering Parent Management Training in an Integrated Primary Care Setting: Description and Preliminary Outcome Data

Abstract This paper describes how behavioral health consultants (BHCs) in an integrated primary care setting use evidence-based principles that underlie parent management training (PMT) to assist caregivers of youth with externalizing behavior problems. Illustrated is the decision-making process that BHCs utilize from the moment they receive a patient referral from a primary care provider to how interventions are selected and delivered. When delivering PMT in integrated care, operant-based learning principles underlying PMT are often selected based on a combination of factors, including match with presenting problem, caregiver efficacy, caregiver beliefs about the causes and maintaining factors, and feasibility of implementation. We further present preliminary outcome data on the effectiveness of BHCs’ efforts to use PMT principles in a primary care setting. Participants were 21 caregivers and their children (Mage = 7.76 years, 38.1% female; 66.7% Hispanic) seen for an average of 2.38 visits. Pre-post data provided by caregivers (for youth 11 years or younger) and adolescents (self-report of patients 12–17 years of age) taken at the time of first and last sessions revealed significant reductions in global distress scores and high levels of satisfaction with services received. Findings support the viability of providing brief, focused PMT interventions for pediatric populations seen in primary care.
The role of the pineal organ in the control of phototaxis and body coloration in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri, Richardson)

1. Quantitative analyses were made of the responses of normal unoperated, sham-pinealectomized (pineal intact), pinealectomized, blinded (lateral eyes removed) and blinded + pinealectomized rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri, Richardson) on white and black backgrounds and with controlled illumination and photoperiod. 2. Phototaxis of the individual trout was tested by means of experimental choices between lighted and dark halves of an experimental tank. It was found that individual pretest departures from random 50∶50 distribution necessitated correction factors for accurate appraisal of phototaxis. Although blinding (either with or without pinealectomy) reduced the normally negative phototaxis of the trout, pinealectomy (either with or without blinding) had no detectable effect on phototaxis, at least under the experimental conditions studied. 3. Body coloration lightens at night in trout on a black background. Removal of the lateral eyes led to a reduction of this day-night difference in trout on a black background and to the presence of similar day-night coloration changes on white and black backgrounds. Pinealectomy alone had no detectable effect, but when combined with blinding, abolished the day-night difference in the blinded fish. 4. It was concluded that by either or both its photosensory and endocrine capacities the trout pineal can have a contributory role in the mediation of responses to changes in environmental illumination.
Protein synthesis defects in temperature-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli with altered ribosomal proteins.

Abstract The ribosomes from four temperature-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli have been examined for defects in cell-free protein synthesis. The mutants examined had alterations in ribosomal proteins S10, S15 or L22 (two strains). Ribosomes from each mutant showed a reduced activity in the translation of phage MS2 RNA at 44°C and were more rapidly inactivated by heating at this temperature compared to control ribosomes. Ribosomal subunits from three of the mutants demonstrated a partial or complete inability to reassociate at 44°C. 70-S ribosomes from two strains showed a reduction in messenger RNA binding. tRNA binding to the 30 S subunit was reduced in the strains with altered 30-S proteins and binding to the 50 S subunit was affected in the mutants with a change in 50 S protein L22. The relation between ribosomal protein structure and function in protein synthesis in these mutants is discussed.
Managing Knowledge in Policymaking and Decision Making

The combined effect of increasing problem complexity and growing demand for participation in decisions has forced policymaking and decision making in organizations to become less an analytic endeavor and more a process of "knowledge management ' This requires an intermediarv to mediate among conflicting perspectives and integrate the different forms and levels of knowledge This article describes one such approach to knowledge management that utilizes a third party to create and facilitate a temporary task organization Following a brief case example, some research resultsfrom an evaluation of six past applications of the approach are presented These results provide insight into the effective structuring and conduct of knowledge management procedures
Social Cognition Deficits and Associations with Drinking History in Alcoholic Men and Women

Background Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of a social cognition factor as an element of general cognition in healthy control and clinical populations. Recently developed measures of social cognition include the social perception and faces subtests of the Wechsler Advanced Clinical Solutions (ACS) Social Cognition module. While these measures have been validated on various clinical samples, they have not been studied in alcoholics. Alcoholism has been associated with emotional abnormalities and diminished social cognitive functioning as well as neuropathology of brain areas underlying social processing abilities. We used the ACS Social Perception and Faces subtests to assess alcoholism-related impairments in social cognition. Methods Social cognitive functioning was assessed in 77 abstinent alcoholic individuals (37 women) and 59 nonalcoholic control participants (29 women), using measures of the ACS Social Cognition module and subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) that contain a social cognition component (Picture Completion and Comprehension). Group and gender differences in ACS and WAIS-IV performance were assessed, as well as relationships between measures of alcoholism severity and social cognitive functioning. Results Alcoholics performed significantly worse than nonalcoholics on the ACS measures of Affect Naming and Faces Content. Alcoholic men were impaired relative to alcoholic women on Prosody Face Matching and Faces Content scores. Among alcoholics, longer durations of heavy drinking were associated with poorer performance on Affect Naming, and a greater number of daily drinks were associated with lower Prosody Face Matching performance. For alcoholic women, a longer duration of abstinence was associated with better performance on Affect Naming. Conclusions Alcoholic men and women showed different patterns of associations between alcoholism indices and clinically validated social cognition assessments. These findings extend into the social cognition domain, previous literature demonstrating the presence of cognitive deficits in alcoholism, their association with alcoholism severity, and variability by gender. Moreover, because impairments in social cognition can persist despite extended abstinence, they have important implications for relapse prevention.
Large-displacement Electrostatic Actuation of Membrane Reflectors through Mechanical Control of Electrode-membrane Gap

Several applications of deformable mirrors in adaptive optics and beam shaping rely on electrostatic actuation to provide the required deformation. In the case of membrane mirrors, the actuation force is frequently controlled via the potential difference across the gap between the metallized membrane and the electrode substrate. In our previous work we studied an alternative approach using a constant voltage and variable area, accomplished with appropriately centered clusters of switchable area segments. Here, we investigate controlling the force by driving the electrode substrate in a direction perpendicular to the actuator/ membrane surface. Using a single-mode non-linear model and the Lyapunov potential method, a closed-loop controller is designed for tracking a trajectory derived to meet prescribed performance criteria (such as steady deflection, bandwidth, and damping ratio). The velocity-observer input is derived from beam response measurements obtained using a quad cell beam position finder. The co...