cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Threats to validity in the use and interpretation of script concordance test scores

Context Recent reviews have claimed that the script concordance test (SCT) methodology generally produces reliable and valid assessments of clinical reasoning and that the SCT may soon be suitable for high-stakes testing. Objectives This study is intended to describe three major threats to the validity of the SCT not yet considered in prior research and to illustrate the severity of these threats. Methods We conducted a review of SCT reports available through the Web of Science database. Additionally, we reanalysed scores from a previously published SCT administration to explore issues related to standard SCT scoring practice. Results Firstly, the predominant method for aggregate and partial credit scoring of SCTs introduces logical inconsistencies in the scoring key. Secondly, our literature review shows that SCT reliability studies have generally ignored inter-panel, inter-panellist and test–retest measurement error. Instead, studies have focused on observed levels of coefficient alpha, which is neither an informative index of internal structure nor a comprehensive index of reliability for SCT scores. As such, claims that SCT scores show acceptable reliability are premature. Finally, SCT criteria for item inclusion, in concert with a statistical artefact of the SCT format, cause anchors at the extremes of the scale to have less expected credit than anchors near or at the midpoint. Consequently, SCT scores are likely to reflect construct-irrelevant differences in examinees' response styles. This makes the test susceptible to bias against candidates who endorse extreme scale anchors more readily; it also makes two construct-irrelevant test taking strategies extremely effective. In our reanalysis, we found that examinees could drastically increase their scores by never endorsing extreme scale points. Furthermore, examinees who simply endorsed the scale midpoint for every item would still have outperformed most examinees who used the scale as it is intended. Conclusions Given the severity of these threats, we conclude that aggregate scoring of SCTs cannot be recommended. Recommendations for revisions of SCT methodology are discussed.
Reasons for New Interest in On-Farm Research

ABSTRACT Locating research on a commercial farm is essential for three types of investigation: studies involving 1) management histories and physical conditions not available on experiment stations; 2) farmer management, especially of innovative systems; and 3) ecological effects of whole-farm changes. On-farm research with the farmer involved beyond assisting with operations has advantages in the design, implementation, and dissemination stages. These benefits may warrant locating a project on a commercial farm even if it could also be done on-station. Misunderstandings about the value of on-farm research are often due to its promotion in conjunction with sustainable agriculture and greater political power for farmers. On-farm research, especially with high farmer involvement, is more appropriate for answering some questions critical to developing more sustainable agricultural systems; but other aspects of sustainable agriculture are more suitably studied at experiment station sites. Greater involvement ...
The misidentification syndromes as mindreading disorders

The patient with Capgras' syndrome claims that people very familiar to him have been replaced by impostors. I argue that this disorder is due to the destruction of a representation that the patient has of the mind of the familiar person. This creates the appearance of a familiar body and face, but without the familiar personality, beliefs, and thoughts. The posterior site of damage in Capgras' is often reported to be the temporoparietal junction, an area that has a role in the mindreading system, a connected system of cortical areas that allow us to attribute mental states to others. Just as the Capgras' patient claims that that man is not his father, the patient with asomatognosia claims that his arm is not really his. A similar account applies here, in that a nearby brain area, the supramarginal gyrus, is damaged. This area works in concert with the temporoparietal junction and other areas to produce a large representation of a mind inside a body situated in an environment. Damage to the mind-representing part of this system (coupled with damage to executive processes in the prefrontal lobes) causes Capgras' syndrome, whereas damage to the body-representing part of this system (also coupled with executive damage) causes asomatognosia.
The effects of the antiresorptive agents calcitonin and pamidronate on spine fusion in a rabbit model.

Abstract Background context As the population ages, the number of individuals undergoing pharmacotherapy to prevent or treat osteoporosis is increasing. Drugs of the bisphosphonate family prevent bone resorption, as does calcitonin, though by different mechanisms. Bisphosphonates are deposited in bone, preventing resorption by osteoclasts. Calcitonin is a direct inhibitor of osteoclasts, but is not itself incorporated in bone. The same late middle-aged and elderly patients who are being treated for osteoporosis frequently come to spine fusion. Bone remodelling is a vital part of graft incorporation. Intereventions that interfere with remodelling may have a detrimental effect on the rate, time course, and strength of the fusion mass. Purpose To delineate the effects of these anti-osteoporosis medications on the fusion process. Study design Randomized, prospective, double-blind, animal model. Methods Posterolateral arthrodesis was performed at L5/6 in 60 skeletally mature 4.0–4.5 kg New Zealand white rabbits, using 3 cc of autologous iliac crest graft per side. Rabbits were randomized to one of three groups: PAM - pamidronate 1.2 mg subcutaneously 3 times/week for 4 weeks preoperatively, then 0.6 mg/day via miniosmotic pump for 4 weeks postoperatively; CAL - calcitonin 14 IU/day via pump for 4 weeks postoperatively only; CON - no drug intervention. All animals were killed 5 weeks after surgery. Fusion, defined by absolute lack of intersegmental motion, was assessed by manual palpation by two spine surgeons. Where there was disagreement, a third surgeon made the final determination. Stiffness and peak load to failure were determined by mechanical testing of each operated motion segment, and normalized to the adjacent, unoperated level. Results Four rabbits excluded (1 each: death; euthanasia for hind-limb palsy; infection; incorrect level). Number fused at 5 weeks: CON 10/18 (56%), PAM 7/19 (37%), CAL 13/19 (68%). Fisher exact test showed no significant differences between groups. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant differences in mechanical testing between CAL and CON, but PAM specimens had significantly less peak load than CON or CAL animals (p Conclusions Though one must be careful in extrapolating animal data to humans, this study suggests that calcitonin is not detrimental to spine fusion. Pamidronate, however, does lead to a mechanically less robust fusion. Based on this study, there is no evidence to support a recommendation to stop antiresorptive therapy for osteoporosis in the spine fusion patient.
Comparison of advection schemes for high-order h–p finite element and finite volume methods

Abstract We review and compare advection schemes designed for high-order finite element/finite volume methods. The emphasis is on studying, by numerical examples, the properties of these schemes in terms of accuracy, and monotonicity, and their viability for oceanic applications. The schemes reviewed are classical spectral element, Taylor Galerkin Least Square method, the Discontinuous Galerkin method and high-order finite volume method. The latter two schemes exhibit a definite robustness due to their small, but finite, inherent numerical dissipation. They also prove the most flexible since their discontinuous representation of the solution allows easy implementations of flux limiting or adaptive procedure. Finally, an ad-hoc but simple adaptive procedure is presented to illustrate DGM’s potential; this procedure proved to be extremely effective at controlling Gibbs oscillations in 1D but was too dissipative on the Hecht problem.
Time Scales of Variability of the Tropical Atmosphere Derived from Cloud-Defined Weather States

Abstract The recent analysis of Rossow et al. used a clustering technique to derive six tropical weather states (WS) based on mesoscale cloud-type patterns and documented the spatial distribution of those WS and the modes of variability of the convective WS in the tropical western Pacific. In this study, the global tropics are separated into 30° × 30° regions, and a clustering algorithm is applied to the regional WS frequency distributions to derive the dominant modes of weather state variability (or the climate state variability) in each region. The results show that the whole tropical atmosphere oscillates between a convectively active and a convectively suppressed regime with the exception of the eastern parts of the two ocean basins, where the oscillation is between a stratocumulus and a trade cumulus regime. The dominant mode of both those oscillations is the seasonal cycle with the exception of the eastern Indian and western–central Pacific region, where El Nino frequencies dominate. The transitions...
Structural basis for the interaction of tubulin with proteins and drugs that affect microtubule dynamics

The microtubule cytoskeleton is a highly regulated system. At different times in the cell cycle and positions within the organism, microtubules can be very stable or highly dynamic. Stability and dynamics are regulated by interaction with a large number of proteins that themselves may change at specific points in the cell cycle. Exogenous ligands can disrupt the normal processes by either increasing or decreasing microtubule stability and inhibiting their dynamic behavior. The recent determination of the structure of tubulin, the main component of microtubules, makes it possible now to begin to understand the details of these interactions. We review here the structure of the tubulin dimer, with particular regard to how proteins and drugs may bind and modulate microtubule dynamics.
Saluretic Action of Ethacrynic Acid in the Mouse

The new saluretic-diuretic agent, ethacrynic acid, has been reported to be inactive in the rat. It was examined for activity in another rodent, the mouse, an animal frequently used for the initial screening of biological activity of new agents. This agent was found to produce a dose-related increase in the excretion of sodium and chloride ions. These data indicate that the saluretic-diuretic activity of ethacrynic acid would have been detectable in an initial evaluation of this agent in the mouse.
Heavy metals in red crabs, Chaceon quinquedens, from the Gulf of Mexico

The red crab, Chaceon quinquedens, is distributed in deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and is most abundant in an area associated with sediment deposition from the Mississippi River. Sediment geochemistry and biological and ecological traits of red crabs favor accumulation of contaminants. Red crabs, sediment, and bottom water samples were taken from three distinct geographic locations representing areas with differing exposure to contaminant laden effluents from the Mississippi River. Inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry were employed to determine levels of heavy metals in red crab muscle tissue. Ion site partitioning was used to determine metal speciation in sediments. Red crabs showed evidence of heavy metal bioaccumulation in all sample areas with high variability in contaminant levels in individual crabs for some metals. Bioavailability of metals in sediment did not always result in accumulation in muscle tissue.
Combining Expertise: Reflecting on a Team Approach to Curriculum Development and Implementation

Introduction: This article discussed curriculum development and implementation using a unique collaboration of basic scientists and clinicians functioning as course co-directors. It explores the pros, cons, and unintended consequences of this integrated approach through reflections of the faculty involved. Methods: Ten faculty participated in semi-structured phone interviews to reflect on their experiences. Results: Analysis of interview transcripts revealed four key themes: (1) the value of the basic scientist and clinician partnership, (2) strategies for coordination, (3) balancing responsibilities, and (4) hierarchy and power. Discussion: This study identified that both basic scientists and clinicians experienced benefits from using a course co-director collaborative approach to curriculum development and implementation. While challenges are also noted, the benefits of the collaboration were evident in course organization, course evaluation reports, student feedback, and USMLE Step I pass rate.
ASSOCIATION OF CHANGES IN HEMODYNAMIC INDICES OF CONTRACTILE FUNCTION WITH CLINICAL OUTCOMES DURING TREATMENT OF ACUTE DECOMPENSATED HEART FAILURE

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) signals the lower limit of cardiac reserve. In advanced HF patients, ejection fraction (EF) ceases to provide incremental prognostic information and hemodynamic data may further help with risk stratification. The implication of improvements in hemodynamic
A Novel and Functional Single-Layer Sheet of ZnSe

The recently synthesized freestanding four-atom-thick double-layer sheet of ZnSe holds great promise as an ultraflexible and transparent photoelectrode material for solar water splitting. In this work, we report theoretical studies on a novel three-atom-thick single-layer sheet of ZnSe that demonstrates a strong quantum confinement effect by exhibiting a large enhancement of the band gap (2.0 eV) relative to the zinc blende (ZB) bulk phase. Theoretical optical absorbance shows that the largest absorption of this ultrathin single-layer sheet of ZnSe occurs at a wavelength similar to its four-atom-thick double-layer counterpart, suggesting a comparable behavior on incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency for solar water splitting, among a wealth of potential applications. The results presented herein for ZnSe may be generalized to other group II-VI analogues.
Cue Reliability Represented in the Shape of Tuning Curves in the Owl's Sound Localization System.

Optimal use of sensory information requires that the brain estimates the reliability of sensory cues, but the neural correlate of cue reliability relevant for behavior is not well defined. Here, we addressed this issue by examining how the reliability of spatial cue influences neuronal responses and behavior in the owl9s auditory system. We show that the firing rate and spatial selectivity changed with cue reliability due to the mechanisms generating the tuning to the sound localization cue. We found that the correlated variability among neurons strongly depended on the shape of the tuning curves. Finally, we demonstrated that the change in the neurons9 selectivity was necessary and sufficient for a network of stochastic neurons to predict behavior when sensory cues were corrupted with noise. This study demonstrates that the shape of tuning curves can stand alone as a coding dimension of environmental statistics. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In natural environments, sensory cues are often corrupted by noise and are therefore unreliable. To make the best decisions, the brain must estimate the degree to which a cue can be trusted. The behaviorally relevant neural correlates of cue reliability are debated. In this study, we used the barn owl9s sound localization system to address this question. We demonstrated that the mechanisms that account for spatial selectivity also explained how neural responses changed with degraded signals. This allowed for the neurons9 selectivity to capture cue reliability, influencing the population readout commanding the owl9s sound-orienting behavior.
Discussing of Technical Principle on Ultra-high-pure AgNO_3 Preparation

The photographic used ultra-high-pure AgNO3 may be used to produce modern high-speed black and color photographic materials. The content of impurity in the ultra-high-pure AgNO3 should be limited not more than few nano-grams(ng). Especially the impurity of the mercury(Hg) is so active to deeply injure the photo-sensitive center in the silver-halide crystal or to influence the preserved property and stability of the products.
Evaluation of the traveler. An introduction to emporiatrics for the emergency physician.

Summary Travel medicine, or emporiatrics, presents an additional challenge to the practicing emergency physician. In this time of increased travel for business and pleasure, travel history should become a routine part of patient evaluation. While the emergency physician may not need to become facile with specific details concerning immunizations and prophylaxis, he or she should have a good working knowledge of these in order to provide the potential traveler with some basic information and to be able to adequately evaluate the returned traveler who becomes ill and seeks care. Air travel allows many travelers to arrive back in the United States before manifesting symptoms and signs of illness acquired abroad. Many of these illnesses are not usually found in the United States. Late diagnosis of certain illnesses, such as falciparum malaria, may increase the morbidity and mortality. As such, travel history should become a routine part of patient evaluation, and the physician should have a good working knowledge of illnesses that may be acquired abroad.
Ultrafast Molecular Dynamics of Liquid Carbon Disulfide Observed at High Pressure in a Diamond Anvil Cell

Femtosecond time-domain light scattering was performed on liquid carbon disulfide as a function of pressure. At high densities intermolecular vibration is observed.
Rates of Change: Measures of Cyclic Stability Among Communities of Taxocenes

By contrast with most variance-type measures of cyclic stability, rates of change as inverse measures of stability possess several advantages: 1) they utilize ordered data, 2) they are not subject to scalar effects and 3) the number of values, and hence the degrees of freedom, is increased. In addition, rates of change do not track closely a single community dominant. Year-round data on Gastrotricha from four sites, on the Scottish west coast and the American east coast, were compared. Stability at maritime sites exceeded that at continental sites, and stability under high exceeded that under low richness-diversity conditions.
Automating the Recognition of Stress and Emotion: From Lab to Real-World Impact

As Rosalind W. Picard reflects on the events that moved her from research to the lab to a real-world application, she can't help but think... who would have expected efforts to develop algorithms to perceive multimodal inputs would lead to a wearable that detects signals related to deep brain activation and issues potentially life-saving alerts?
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous romifidine and propranolol administered alone or in combination for equine sedation.

Abstract Objective Propranolol has been suggested for anxiolysis in horses, but its sedation efficacy and side effects, both when administered alone and in combination with α 2 -adrenoceptor agonists, remain undetermined. This study aimed to document the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of propranolol, romifidine and their combination. Study design Randomized, crossover study. Animals Six adult horses weighing 561 ± 48 kg. Methods Propranolol (1 mg kg −1 ; treatment P), romifidine (0.1 mg kg −1 ; treatment R) or their combination (treatment PR) were administered intravenously with a minimum of 1 week between treatments. Alertness, behavioral responsiveness (visual and tactile) and physiologic variables were measured before and up to 960 minutes after drug administration. Blood was collected for blood gas and acid-base analyses and measurement of plasma drug concentrations. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance or Friedman with Holm–Sidak and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests ( p 0.05). Results Systemic clearance significantly decreased and the area under the concentration-time curve significantly increased for both drugs in PR compared with P and R. Both PR and R decreased behavioral responsiveness and resulted in sedation for up to 240 and 480 minutes, respectively. Sedation was deeper in PR for the first 16 minutes. Heart rate significantly decreased in all treatments for at least 60 minutes, and PR significantly increased the incidence of severe bradycardia ( −1 ). Conclusions and clinical relevance Although not associated with reduced behavioral responsiveness or sedation alone, propranolol augmented romifidine sedation, probably through alterations in romifidine pharmacokinetics, in horses administered PR. The occurrence of severe bradycardia warrants caution in the co-administration of these drugs at the doses studied.
Video denoising via online sparse and low-rank matrix decomposition

Video denoising refers to the problem of removing “noise” from a video sequence. Here the term “noise” is used in a broad sense to refer to any corruption or outlier or interference that is not the quantity of interest. In this work, we develop a novel approach to video denoising that is based on the idea that most noisy or corrupted videos can be split into two parts — the approximate “low-rank” layer and the “sparse layer”. We first splitting the given video into these two layers, and then apply an existing state-of-the-art denoising algorithm on each layer. We show, using extensive experiments, that our denoising approach outperforms the state-of-the art denoising algorithms.
Freezing Points and Milk Adulteration

The freezing point study of raw and retail milk samples as reported in the Journal of Milk and Food Technology (July, 1976) has continued for retail samples. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture adopted a regulation which considers milk with a freezing point of above -0.525 C to be adulterated. A list of causes of added water was prepared and distributed to producer and processor groups in Pennsylvania.
Dynamic scheduling in system-level simulations for multi-hop D2D communications in LTE networks

Device-to-device (D2D) communication has attracted great attention and becomes a promising technology for future wireless networks. Besides two UEs communicating directly without going through the base station, D2D communication can be further broadened to multi-hop D2D communication, for example, a UE may serve as a relay for some D2D pair. In this work, we perform system-level simulation studies on multihop D2D communications overlay LTE networks with intra-cell and inter-cell interference from other D2D transmissions. We investigate dynamic scheduling for multi-hop D2D according to instantaneous channel and interference situation based on proportional fair metrics. Dynamic scheduling is a compromise between average and edge spectral efficiency, since using relays can increase edge performance but may decrease the average spectral efficiency as they consume more resources than direct D2D. In simulation studies, we can see that multi-hop D2D with dynamic scheduling outperforms direct D2D and multi-hop D2D with fixed scheduling for large D2D distance, and also increases edge spectral efficiency dramatically for small D2D distance with the expense of a little average spectral efficiency decrease.
Strange Bedfellows: Nuclear Factor, Erythroid 2-Like 2 (Nrf2) and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1) in Tumor Hypoxia

The importance of the tumor microenvironment for cancer progression and therapeutic resistance is an emerging focus of cancer biology. Hypoxia, or low oxygen, is a hallmark of solid tumors that promotes metastasis and represents a significant obstacle to successful cancer therapy. In response to hypoxia, cancer cells activate a transcriptional program that allows them to survive and thrive in this harsh microenvironment. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is considered the main effector of the cellular response to hypoxia, stimulating the transcription of genes involved in promoting angiogenesis and altering cellular metabolism. However, growing evidence suggests that the cellular response to hypoxia is much more complex, involving coordinated signaling through stress response pathways. One key signaling molecule that is activated in response to hypoxia is nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like-2 (Nrf2). Nrf2 is a transcription factor that controls the expression of antioxidant-response genes, allowing the cell to regulate reactive oxygen species. Nrf2 is also activated in various cancer types due to genetic and epigenetic alterations, and is associated with poor survival and resistance to therapy. Emerging evidence suggests that coordinated signaling through Nrf2 and HIF-1 is critical for tumor survival and progression. In this review, we discuss the distinct and overlapping roles of HIF-1 and Nrf2 in the cellular response to hypoxia, with a focus on how targeting Nrf2 could provide novel chemotherapeutic modalities for treating solid tumors.
Minocycline Attenuates Photoreceptor Degeneration in a Mouse Model of Subretinal Hemorrhage: Microglial Inhibition as a Potential Therapeutic Strategy

Hemorrhage under the neural retina (subretinal hemorrhage) can occur in the context of age-related macular degeneration and induce subsequent photoreceptor cell death and permanent vision loss. Current treatments with the objective of removing or displacing the hemorrhage are invasive and of mixed efficacy. We created a mouse model of subretinal hemorrhage to characterize the inflammatory responses and photoreceptor degeneration that occur in the acute aftermath of hemorrhage. It was observed that microglial infiltration into the outer retina commences as early as 6 hours after hemorrhage. Inflammatory cells progressively accumulate in the outer nuclear layer concurrently with photoreceptor degeneration and apoptosis. Administration of minocycline, an inhibitor of microglial activation, decreased microglial expression of chemotactic cytokines in vitro and reduced microglial infiltration and photoreceptor cell loss after subretinal hemorrhage in vivo. Inflammatory responses and photoreceptor atrophy occurred after subretinal hemorrhage, however, the degree of response and atrophy were similar between C3-deficient and C3-sufficient mice, indicating a limited role for complement-mediated processes. Our data indicate a role for inflammatory responses in driving photoreceptor cell loss in subretinal hemorrhage, and it is proposed that microglial inhibition may be beneficial in the treatment of subretinal hemorrhage.
Practical use of blactchford score

Aim To retrospectively evaluate the use of proton pump inhibitor infusions Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients who received an mg bolus of esomeprazole follow by an infusion at mg hr An analysis was performed to determine if a Blatchford Score of gt was a predictor of upper gastrointestinal ulcers Results patients received high dose esomeprazole over a month period had an ulcer identified on endoscopy Gastritis and esophagitis were the second most common diagnosis accounting for of patients A Blatchford Score of gt as a predictor of upper gastrointestinal ulcers had a sensitivity of with a specificity of Conclusion Utilizing the Blatchford Score to predict patients that have an upper gastrointestinal ulcer does not appear to be effective in clinical practice
Who Makes an Effective Negotiator? A Personality-Theoretic Approach to a Longstanding Question

This research takes a new perspective on the longstanding mystery of personality in negotiation, which has been met with decades of null and inconsistent findings. Grounded in interactionist theories of personality, the investigation had two complementary phases. In the inductive phase (Study 1), the authors generated a list of fine-grained negotiation behavioral processes that have been explored in past work, and established which ones were consistent at the individual level from one encounter to the next. Examining the consistent behaviors that predicted negotiation performance, a major theme emerged: Asserting the Self. The deductive phase (Study 2) brought the investigation full circle into the realm of personality traits. Grounded in the inductive theme that emerged in Study 1, a cluster of lower-order personality factors was chosen, and these thematically-related traits were unusually strong predictors of negotiation performance. The higher-order big five personality traits were not similarly good predictors. We conclude that there are meaningful associations between personality and negotiation performance, particularly when examining theoretically-derived clusters of traits based on the behaviors that are both effective and consistent across individuals.
Cross-cultural Knowledge Management: Assuring Competitive Advantage through Knowledge, Strategies, Culture, Education & Training

Das Knowledge Management hat sich in den letzten zehn Jahren deutlich weiter entwickelt. Es ist grundlicher geworden, beinhaltet nicht mehr nur Prufungen von Wissen; man erwartet jetzt ein ROI des Knowledge Management. Wesentlich ist heute das Erkennen und Eingehen auf Unterschiede von Landern in kulturellem Sinne; auch unterschiedliche Organisationskulturen sind zu beachten. Organisatorische Bedingungen mussen geschaffen werden, die es erlauben, Wissen in angemessener Weise zu teilen. Hierdurch kann ein Wettbewerbsvorteil erlangt werden.
Restoration thinning enhances growth and diversity in mixed redwood/Douglas-fir stands in northern California, U.S.A.

We examined early responses to different forest restoration thinning treatments to evaluate their efficacy in accelerating tree growth rates, changing species composition, and enhancing structural diversity while minimizing stem damage by black bears and reducing slash depth. Treatments were conducted in 15–25‐year‐old mixed redwood/Douglas‐fir stands and consisted of high‐density, low‐density, and localized release thinning, as well as a control. Four years post‐treatment, data collected from 60 large plots in 20 stands spread across the Mill Creek and Rock Creek watersheds in Del Norte County, California, indicated that spatial variability created from thinning treatments was reflected in diameter growth. Trees having no crown competition had on average a 33% greater basal area increment than trees surrounded by neighboring trees. Thinning treatments enhanced redwood representation by preferentially removing other species, but also promoted rapid growth which increased incidences of bear damage. Approximately 25% of redwood trees sustained bear damage in thinned stands. The localized release thinning created a mosaic of circles flanked by unthinned patches within which trees grew slowly. Localized release created more heterogeneity in tree size but did not generate significantly greater fuel bed depths, result in more bear damage, or represent any sacrifice in understory light or plant abundance and species diversity than a more conventional approach to thinning.
Hamilton Circuits in Cartesian Products with a Metacyclic Factor

Let G = and H = be finite groups whose Cayley digraphs, Cay(S:G) and Cay(T:H), are hamiltonian. When is it true that the cartesian product Cay (S:G) × Cay(T:H) is hamiltonian? In this paper, we consider this problem in the case where one of the groups is metacyclic. In particular, we show that Cay(S:G) × Cay(T:H) is hamiltonian whenever Cay(T:H) is hamiltonian, and G = is a metacyclic p-group presented in a standard way. We also have similar results for various Z-metacyclic groups.
Sparse Grid Quadrature Rules Based on Conformal Mappings

In this work, we demonstrate the extension of quadrature approximations, built from conformal mapping of interpolatory rules, to sparse grid quadrature in the multidimensional setting. In one dimension, computation of an integral involving an analytic function using these transformed quadrature rules can improve the convergence rate by a factor approaching π∕2 versus classical interpolatory quadrature (Hale and Trefethen, SIAM J Numer Anal 46:930–948, 2008). For the computation of high-dimensional integrals with analytic integrands, we implement the transformed quadrature rules in the sparse grid setting, and we show that in certain settings, the convergence improvement can be exponential with growing dimension. Numerical examples demonstrate the benefits and drawbacks of the approach, as predicted by the theory.
Is Silence Golden? An Empirical Analysis of Firms that Stop Giving Quarterly Earnings Guidance in the post Regulation-FD period

We investigate a sample of 75 firms that publicly renounced quarterly EPS guidance in the post-FD period (10/2000 to 10/2004). We find that stoppers have poor trailing earnings and stock return performance. We document an average -3.8% three-day return around the announcement to stop guidance and such reaction is associated with poor future performance and an increase in systematic risk. After the elimination of guidance, stock prices lead earnings less but there is no change in overall stock return volatility or analyst following. However, analyst forecast dispersion increases and forecast accuracy decreases following firms' decision to stop guiding.
Fluid Flow in the Deep Crust

Fluids are central to a wide array of fundamental lithospheric processes and properties, including mass transfer, heat transfer, reaction progress, the rheological behavior of rocks and seismicity, crustal anatexis, arc magmatism, ore formation, the release of greenhouse gases, such as CO 2 , and the impact of such gases on the long-term carbon cycle. Pelitic sediments and hydrothermally altered oceanic crust will typically lose 2–4 wt% H 2 O from low to high metamorphic grades. Losses from serpentinized ultramafic rocks can exceed 10 wt%. Devolatilization of metacarbonate rocks can liberate 10–20 wt% CO 2 during collisional orogenesis. Degassing intrusions and the mantle are additional fluid sources. The fluids flow pervasively between grains or are channelized into structures, such as fractures, fold hinges, and faults. The flow can be relatively continuous or more pulsed, as exemplified by porosity waves. The transport of dissolved constituents in the fluids occurs by advection (flow), diffusion, and mechanical dispersion, all of which are important during regional flow. Available models and field studies suggest that flow is dominantly upward in deep systems. Time-integrated fluid fluxes can vary by orders of magnitude. The smallest regional fluxes ( 3 m 3 m −2 ) are realized in dominantly pervasive flow systems where flow is distributed over a wide area and/or the availability of fluids is limited. Typical devolatilization of metasediments in orogenic belts is likely to produce larger fluxes ~10 3 –10 4 m 3 m −2 averaged over the regional scale. Still larger fluxes of ~10 4 –10 6 m 3 m −2 require channelization and focusing of flow into veins, shear zones, regional fracture systems, or other conduits. Fluxes of ~10 3 m 3 m −2 or greater can produce substantial mass transfer and metasomatism by, for example, flow up or down temperature gradients or across lithologic contacts. Even when fluxes are smaller, the available flow and diffusion can drive mass transfer at more local scales. Despite several field examples, it remains unclear if large-scale heat transfer by fluids through the deep crust is a widespread phenomenon. Timescales of flow range from 3 years to the duration of orogeny. The shortest timescales correspond to flow associated with fracturing, orogenic thermal pulses, or other transient phenomena. The largest timescales reflect more progressive, long-term devolatilization of orogenic belts. A growing body of evidence indicates that significant flow can occur on geologically short timescales of less than ~10 6 years.
The Epidemiology and Causes of Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer mortality rates have declined significantly over the past 50 years all over the world. Nevertheless, the disease still accounts for more than half a million deaths annually. During the past 20 years our understanding of the biology of this cancer has been enhanced by epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory studies. The development of gastric cancer entails a multistep process under the influence of various genetic, dietary, and environmental factors.
Eclipsing Community? Neighborhood Disadvantage, Social Mechanisms, and Neighborly Attitudes and Behaviors

This study investigates how objective neighborhood characteristics influence attitudinal and behavioral dimensions of community social organization. Grounded in ecological and neighborhood effects ...
Bilateral Primary Pulmonary Leiomyosarcoma: A Case Report

**Introduction:** Primary pulmonary leiomyosarcomas are a group of rare malignant tumors. They are subdivided into those originating from pulmonary parenchyma, bronchial tree, or pulmonary arteries. They tend to expand locally, and presentation depends on the site of the tumor. Diagnosis can be challenging. **Case Presentation:** A 40-year-old woman presented with dyspnea and severe sepsis due to a lung mass and postobstructive pneumonia. She was diagnosed as having bilateral endobronchial primary pulmonary leiomyosarcoma and treated with bilobectomy; however, she died shortly after surgery due to complications. **Conclusion:** Considering the rarity of her condition, this case offers a unique opportunity to investigate its presentation, diagnosis, and treatment strategies through a study of the literature.
The immune response to malaria in utero.

Malaria causes tremendous early childhood morbidity and mortality, providing an urgent impetus for the development of a vaccine that is effective in neonates. However, the infant immune response to malaria may be influenced by events that occur well before birth. Placental malaria infection complicates one quarter of all pregnancies in Africa and frequently results in exposure of the fetus to malaria antigens in utero, while the immune system is still developing. Some data suggest that in utero exposure to malaria may induce immunologic tolerance that interferes with the development of protective immunity during childhood. More recently, however, a growing body of evidence suggests that fetal malaria exposure can prime highly functional malaria-specific T- and B-cells, which may contribute to postnatal protection from malaria. In utero exposure to malaria also impacts the activation and maturation of fetal antigen presenting cells and innate lymphocytes, which could have implications for global immunity in the infant. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of how various components of the fetal immune system are altered by in utero exposure to malaria, discuss factors that may tilt the critical balance between tolerance and adaptive immunity, and consider the implications of these findings for malaria prevention strategies.
Immediate Post-operative Enterocyte Injury, as Determined by Increased Circulating Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein, Is Associated With Subsequent Development of Necrotizing Enterocolitis After Infant Cardiothoracic Surgery

Objectives: 1 Measure serial serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein levels in infants undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass to evaluate for evidence of early post-operative enterocyte injury. 2 Determine the association between immediate post-operative circulating intestinal fatty acid binding protein levels and subsequent development of necrotizing enterocolitis. Design: Observational cohort study. Intestinal fatty acid binding protein was measured pre-operatively, at rewarming, and at 6 and 24 h post-operatively. Percent of goal enteral kilocalories on post-operative day 5 and episodes of necrotizing enterocolitis were determined. Multivariable analysis assessed for factors independently associated with clinical feeding outcomes and suspected/definite necrotizing enterocolitis. Setting: Quaternary free-standing children's hospital pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. Patients: 103 infants <120 days of age undergoing cardiothoracic surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Interventions: None. Results: Median pre-operative intestinal fatty acid binding protein level was 3.93 ng/ml (range 0.24-51.32). Intestinal fatty acid binding protein levels rose significantly at rewarming (6.35 ng/ml; range 0.54-56.97; p = 0.008), continued to rise slightly by 6 h (6.57 ng/ml; range 0.75-112.04; p = 0.016), then decreased by 24 h (2.79 ng/ml; range 0.03-81.74; p < 0.0001). Sixteen subjects (15.7%) developed modified Bell criteria Stage 1 necrotizing enterocolitis and 9 subjects (8.8%) developed Stage 2 necrotizing enterocolitis. Infants who developed necrotizing enterocolitis demonstrated a significantly higher distribution of intestinal fatty acid binding protein levels at both 6 h (p = 0.005) and 24 h (p = 0.005) post-operatively. On multivariable analysis, intestinal fatty acid binding protein was not associated with percentage of goal enteral kilocalories delivered on post-operative day 5. Higher intestinal fatty acid binding protein was independently associated with subsequent development of suspected/definite necrotizing enterocolitis (4% increase in odds of developing necrotizing enterocolitis for each unit increase in intestinal fatty acid binding protein; p = 0.0015). Conclusions: Intestinal fatty acid binding protein levels rise following infant cardiopulmonary bypass, indicating early post-operative enterocyte injury. Intestinal fatty acid binding protein was not associated with percent of goal enteral nutrition achieved on post-operative day 5, likely due to protocolized feeding advancement based on clinically observable factors. Higher intestinal fatty acid binding protein at 6 h post-operatively was independently associated with subsequent development of necrotizing enterocolitis and may help identify patients at risk for this important complication.
Criteria for Convexity of Closed Sets in Banach Spaces

Criteria for the convexity of closed sets in general Banach spaces in terms of the Clarke and Bouligand tangent cones are proved. In the case of uniformly convex spaces, these convexity criteria are stated in terms of proximal normal cones. These criteria are used to derive sufficient conditions for the convexity of the images of convex sets under nonlinear mappings and multifunctions.
Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide effects on maize and alfalfa in the Northeast US: A comparison of model predictions and observed data

Abstract The main feed crops on dairy farms in the northeastern U.S. are alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and maize (Zea mays L.). Projected changes in climate along with increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration will affect future production of these crops. We evaluated maize and alfalfa yield and evapotranspiration response to CO2 enrichment predicted by three process-based cropping system models, CropSyst, DSSAT and IFSM, in six counties of Pennsylvania and New York, using 25 years of daily weather and two concentrations of atmospheric CO2 (350 and 550 ppm). Positive effects of CO2 enrichment on crop growth have been documented using plants grown under controlled CO2 conditions; of particular relevance are results obtained in fields with free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) technology. For evaluation, simulation results were compared among models and to FACE experimental data. The three models simulated similar maize response to increasing CO2 for grain yield, total biomass yield and harvest index, with predicted responses within the ranges reported in FACE experiments. The models may have slightly overestimated the yield response of maize during wet years compared with FACE experiments. The models also simulated increased productivity of alfalfa within the bounds observed in FACE experiments. While DSSAT and IFSM predicted yield increases of about 20%, Cropsyst predicted an increase of 32%, which is in the upper bound of FACE experimental data. For both crops, models simulated a lesser reduction in evapotranspiration under increasing CO2 than that measured in FACE experiments. The larger response of alfalfa may either shift rotations towards more alfalfa, or allow for a shorter alfalfa phase in a rotation depending on market and other production constraints. While there were overestimations in simulating maize productivity under no water stress and uncertainties in simulating evapotranspiration that are relevant for local and regional hydrology, these models adequately represented crop yield response to changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration.
MAESTRO affords ‘breadth and depth’ for mutation testing

Abstract The ability to assay large numbers of low-abundance mutations is crucial in biomedicine. Yet, the technical hurdles of sequencing multiple mutations at extremely high depth and accuracy remain daunting. For sequencing low-level mutations, it’s either ‘depth or breadth’ but not both. Here, we report a simple and powerful approach to accurately track thousands of distinct mutations with minimal reads. Our technique called MAESTRO (minor allele enriched sequencing through recognition oligonucleotides) employs massively-parallel mutation enrichment to empower duplex sequencing—one of the most accurate methods—to track up to 10,000 low-frequency mutations with up to 100-fold less sequencing. In example use cases, we show that MAESTRO could enable mutation validation from cancer genome sequencing studies. We also show that it could track thousands of mutations from a patient’s tumor in cell-free DNA, which may improve detection of minimal residual disease from liquid biopsies. In all, MAESTRO improves the breadth, depth, accuracy, and efficiency of mutation testing.
Induction of Four‐Dimensional Spatiotemporal Geometric Transformations in High Cell Density Tissues via Shape‐Changing Hydrogels

Developing and healing tissues begin as a cellular condensation. Spatiotemporal changes in tissue geometry, transformations in the spatial distribution of the cells and extracellular matrix, are essential for its evolution into a functional tissue. 4D materials, 3D materials capable of geometric changes, may have the potential to recreate the aforementioned biological phenomenon. However, most reported 4D materials are non-degradable and/or not biocompatible, which limits their application in regenerative medicine, and to date there are no systems controlling the geometry of high density cellular condensations and differentiation. Here, we describe 4D high cell density tissues based on shape-changing hydrogels. By sequential photocrosslinking of oxidized and methacrylated alginate (OMA) and methacrylated gelatin (GelMA), bi-layered hydrogels presenting controllable geometric changes without any external stimuli were fabricated. Fibroblasts and human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were incorporated at concentrations up to 1.0 × 108 cells/mL to the 4D constructs, and controllable shape changes were achieved in concert with ASCs differentiated down chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages. Bioprinting of the high density cell-laden OMA and GelMA permitted the formation of more complex constructs with defined 4D geometric changes, which may further expand the promise of this approach in regenerative medicine applications.
A comparison of 2 visual methods for classifying obstructive vs central hypopneas.

Study Objectives:Rules for classifying apneas as obstructive, central, or mixed are well established. Although hypopneas are given equal weight when calculating the apnea-hypopnea index, classifica...
Effect of silver electrode wetting state on oxygen reduction electrochemistry

Surface wettability plays an important role in heterogeneous electrocatalysis. Here we report a facile laser ablation strategy to directly modify the wettability of the silver catalyst surface and investigate its effect on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). A broad range tuning of 2e−/4e− ORR pathways was achieved, with hydrophilic silver surfaces (contact angle (θw) 31.1° ± 0.6°) showing high activity and selectivity towards 4e− reduction of oxygen to water.