cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting mortality in the intensive care unit: a comparison of the University Health Consortium expected probability of mortality and the Mortality Prediction Model III

Quality benchmarks are increasingly being used to compare the delivery of healthcare, and may affect reimbursement in the future. The University Health Consortium (UHC) expected probability of mortality (EPM) is one such quality benchmark. Although the UHC EPM is used to compare quality across UHC members, it has not been prospectively validated in the critically ill. We aimed to define the performance characteristics of the UHC EPM in the critically ill and compare its ability to predict mortality with the Mortality Prediction Model III (MPM-III). The first 100 consecutive adult patients discharged from the hospital (including deaths) each quarter from January 1, 2009 until September 30, 2011 that had an intensive care unit (ICU) stay were included. We assessed model discrimination, calibration, and overall performance, and compared the two models using Bland-Altman plots. Eight hundred ninety-one patients were included. Both the UHC EPM and the MPM-III had excellent performance (Brier score 0.05 and 0.06, respectively). The area under the curve was good for both models (UHC 0.90, MPM-III 0.87, p = 0.28). Goodness of fit was statistically significant for both models (UHC p = 0.002, MPM-III p = 0.0003), but improved with logit transformation (UHC p = 0.41; MPM-III p = 0.07). The Bland-Altman plot showed good agreement at extremes of mortality, but agreement diverged as mortality approached 50 %. The UHC EPM exhibited excellent overall performance, calibration, and discrimination, and performed similarly to the MPM-III. Correlation between the two models was poor due to divergence when mortality was maximally uncertain.
Gastric H(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity is inhibited by reduction of disulfide bonds in beta-subunit

H(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity of rabbit isolated gastric microsomes was irreversibly inactivated by reducing agents, such as 2-mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol. Similar to what has been observed for ...
Importance of soil and plant community disturbance for establishment of Bromus tectorum in the Intermountain West, USA

The annual grass Bromus tectorum has invaded millions of hectares in western North America and has transformed former perennial grass and shrub-dominated communities into annual grasslands. Fire plays a key role in the maintenance of B. tectorum on the landscape but the type of disturbance responsible for initial invasion is less well understood. We conducted an experiment in a perennial shrub/grass/forb community in eastern Idaho, USA to examine the roles of plant community and soil disturbance on B. tectorum emergence and establishment prior to state-changing fires. Our experiment consisted of a plant community disturbance treatment where we (1) removed the shrub component, (2) removed the grass/forb component, or (3) removed all shrubs, grasses, and forbs. We followed this treatment with seeding of B. tectorum onto the soil surface that was (1) intact, or (2) disturbed. Each experimental plot had an associated control with no plant community disturbance but was seeded in the same manner. The experiment was replicated 20 times in two sites (high and low aboveground biomass). We measured emergence by counting seedlings in late spring and establishment by counting, removing, and weighing B. tectorum individuals in mid-summer. We also examined the influence of plant community disturbance on the soil environment by measuring extractable NH4 + and NO3 – four times each summer. Soil disturbance greatly influenced the number of B. tectorum individuals that emerged each spring. Plant community disturbance, specifically disturbance of the grass/forb component, increased N availability in the late growing season and biomass of B. tectorum the following summer. We conclude that soil disturbance and plant community disturbance interact to promote the initial invasion of B. tectorum in Intermountain West valley ecosystems. Copyright A. Joshua Leffler et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. NeoBiota 30: 111–125 (2016) doi: 10.3897/neobiota.30.7119 http://neobiota.pensoft.net RESEARCH ARTICLE Advancing research on alien species and biological invasions A peer-reviewed open-access journal
Abstand eines Punktes von einer Geraden

Man keimt die Koordinaten (x 1; y 1) eines Punktes P und die Gleichung einer Geraden. Wie weit ist der Punkt von der Geraden entfernt? — Wir unterscheiden zunachst zwei Falle.
Genre Matters: Tracing Metaphors of Miscegenation in Genre History, Derrida’s “The Law of Genre” and Gloria Anzaldúa’s Borderlands / La Frontera

“Metaphors of Miscegenation: Genre Mixing in Gloria Anzaldua’s Borderlands/La Frontera.” Shelley Garcia, Biola University. This chapter argues for the need to make genre a part of any discussion of Chicana writing, and it does so by exploring perhaps the most iconic text in the field, Gloria E. Anzaldua’s Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza.
The law medicine letter: Treatment Of Juveniles Without Parental Consent

The needs of the child—not the fault of the parents—are the basis for the law's intervention in the welfare of a child. In an emergency, the physician or surgeon has not only the right but also the legal duty to save the life of a child. Even if he cannot locate the parents to obtain their consent, he may act, especially when the patient is a mature juvenile.
Testing Needs for ITER ECH Transmission Line Components

The performance requirement of 1 (possibly 2) MW cw at 170 GHz for ITER electron cyclotron heating and current drive transmission line components is much more demanding than the 1 MW 10 s performance, generally at 110 GHz, that has been demonstrated on present devices. The high ITER heat loads will require enhanced cooling and, for some components, new or modified designs. Before component designs are finalized, testing at ITER conditions is strongly advisable.
Lookit (Part 2): Assessing the Viability of Online Developmental Research, Results From Three Case Studies

To help address the participant bottleneck in developmental research, we developed a new platform called “Lookit,” introduced in an accompanying article (Scott & Schulz, 2017), that allows families to participate in behavioral studies online via webcam. To evaluate the viability of the platform, we administered online versions of three previously published studies involving different age groups, methods, and research questions: an infant (M = 14.0 months, N = 49) study of novel event probabilities using violation of expectation, a study of two-year-olds’ (M = 29.2 months, N = 67) syntactic bootstrapping using preferential looking, and a study of preschoolers’ (M = 48.6 months, N = 148) sensitivity to the accuracy of informants using verbal responses. Our goal was to evaluate the overall feasibility of moving developmental methods online, including our ability to host the research protocols, securely collect data, and reliably code the dependent measures, and parents’ ability to self-administer the studies...
David Oliver: Social care crisis needs meaningful solutions, not tinkering and soundbites.

Last year brought overdue public acknowledgment of the serious crisis in England’s adult social care. The parliamentary Health Committee flagged the grave impact of underfunding, not only on social care but on the wider NHS.1 The Care Quality Commission concurred.2 So did NHS England’s chief executive.3 The King’s Fund produced a searing analysis of the extent and impact of social care cuts.4 And a National Audit Office report on delayed transfers of care from hospital showed a 31% increase over just two years, social care cuts being the main contributor.5 Getting here has taken years of …
Egg-Induced Modifications of the Murine Zona Pellucida

We are interested in the biochemical mechanisms involved in the early events of mammalian egg activation, with special reference to the mechanism(s) by which the block to polyspermy at the level of the zona pellucida (ZP) is established. Since some of the initial events of sperm-induced egg activation in lower species are accompanied by the hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides, we examined the effects of protein kinase C (PKC) activators (phorbol diesters and diacylglycerols) and microinjected inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) on sperm-ZP binding, the ZP-induced acrosome reaction, fertilization, and egg induced modifications of the ZP.
Abstract 343: Induction of Apoptosis in Human Macrophages by 7-ketocholesterol and Iron Ascorbate

Inflammation is the new paradigm for the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions in coronary artery disease. Factors that increase oxidative stress and apoptosis of cells within the lesion contribute to sustaining the inflammatory response. It was hypothesized that redox-active iron and oxysterols, which have both been found in association with atherosclerotic plaques, contribute to oxidative stress and apoptosis by distinct, but overlapping signaling pathways. The human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 was used as a model system to study the roles of redox-active iron and 7-ketocholesterol in macrophage apoptosis. The ability of both reagents to induce apoptosis in THP-1 macrophages was demonstrated using flow cytometry. The kinetics of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage as measured by ELISA were also similar. qRT-PCR was used to measure mRNA levels of several pro- and anti-apoptotic genes. While 7-ketocholesterol increased the level of CHOP mRNA (a transcription factor in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-initiated apoptosis), there was no similar increase in response to iron ascorbate treatment. Expression of other markers of ER stress, like the transcription factors ATF3 and CEBPbeta, was increased by both compounds, but the timing of changes in gene expression was different. TNFalpha regulates both apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine production. Macrophages are major producers of TNFalpha as well as being highly responsive to the cytokine. A comparison of the changes in TNFalpha mRNA and protein levels in response to iron ascorbate and 7-ketocholesterol suggested that while ERK1/2 and NFkB signaling are important in TNFalpha expression, differentially regulated post-transcriptional processes determine the release of TNFalpha by macrophages. These preliminary results suggest that the apoptotic pathways activated by oxysterols and redox-active iron may be different and that these compounds may have additive or synergistic effects on lesion progression.
Integrating Results across Methodologies Is Essential for Producing Robust Neuronal Taxonomies.

Elucidating the diversity and spatial organization of cell types in the brain is an essential goal of neuroscience, with many emerging technologies helping to advance this endeavor. Using a new in situ hybridization method that can measure the expression of hundreds of genes in a given mouse brain section (amplified seqFISH), Shah et al. (2016) describe a spatial organization of hippocampal cell types that differs from previous reports. In seeking to understand this discrepancy, we find that many of the barcoded genes used by seqFISH to characterize this spatial organization, when cross-validated by other sensitive methodologies, exhibit negligible expression in the hippocampus. Additionally, the results of Shah et al. (2016) do not recapitulate canonical cellular hierarchies and improperly classify major neuronal cell types. We suggest that, when describing the spatial organization of brain regions, cross-validation using multiple techniques should be used to yield robust and informative cellular classification. This Matters Arising paper is in response to Shah et al. (2016), published in Neuron. See also the response by Shah et al. (2017), published in this issue.
OAM-Based Hybrid Free-Space Optical-Terahertz Multidimensional Coded Modulation and Physical-Layer Security

To address capacity constraints and physical-layer security (PLS), defined in information-theoretic sense, of both optical and wireless networks in a simultaneous manner, we propose to use the hybrid free-space optical (FSO)-THz technologies employing orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes in both FSO and THz subsystems. The OAM modes, related to azimuthal dependence of the wavefront, are mutually orthogonal so that this additional degree of freedom can be utilized to improve both spectral efficiency and PLS in both optical and wireless networks. Spatial light modulators (SLMs) are routinely used to generate OAM modes in optical domain, in particular in FSO communications links. On the other hand, it has been recently demonstrated that a traveling-wave circular loop antenna, with azimuthal phase distribution along the loop, can be used to generate OAM in the RF domain. Reliability of FSO links is affected by atmospheric turbulence effects, scattering effects, and low-visibility in foggy conditions. On the other hand, RF technologies are not affected by these effects, but are sensitive to rain and snow. In particular, THz technologies, have available bandwidths comparable to a typical wavelength channel in WDM systems. Based on this complementarity, here we propose to use hybrid FSO-THz technologies to significantly improve the spectral efficiency and PLS of both FSO and wireless communications systems and networks.
A potential Dubin-Johnson syndrome imaging agent: synthesis, biodistribution, and microPET imaging

Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) is caused by a deficiency of the human canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT). A new lipophilic copper-64 complex of 1,4,7-tris(carboxymethyl)-10-(tetradecyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazadodecane (5) was prepared and evaluated for potential as a diagnostic tool for DJS. The prepared ligand was labeled with (64)Cu citrate in high radiochemical purity. In vivo uptake and clearance of the complex was determined through biodistribution studies using normal Sprague-Dawley rats and mutant cMOAT-deficient (TR(-)) rats. In normal rats, the radioactive copper complex was cleared quickly from the body exclusively through the hepatic pathway. The (64)Cu complex was taken up rapidly by the liver and quickly excreted into the small intestine and then the upper large intestine, whereas <1% ID/organ was found in the kidney at all time points post injection. Whereas activity was accumulated continuously in the liver of TR(-) rats, it was not excreted into the small intestine. MicroPET studies of normal and TR(-) rats were consistent with biodistribution data and showed dramatically different images. This study strongly suggests that cMOAT is involved in excretion of (64)Cu-5. The significant difference between the biodistribution data and microPET images of the normal and TR(-) rats demonstrates that this new (64)Cu complex may allow noninvasive diagnosis of DJS in humans.
Intrainstitutional EHR collections for patient-level information retrieval

Research in clinical information retrieval has long been stymied by the lack of open resources. However, both clinical information retrieval research innovation and legitimate privacy concerns can be served by the creation of intrainstitutional, fully protected resources. In this article, we provide some principles and tools for information retrieval resource-building in the unique problem setting of patient-level information retrieval, following the tradition of the Cranfield paradigm. We further include an analysis of parallel information retrieval resources at Oregon Health & Science University and Mayo Clinic that were built on these principles.
Editorial Commentary: Wrist Ulnar Impaction Syndrome: When I Use the Wafer Procedure and When I Do Not

Ulnar impaction syndrome is fundamentally a clinical diagnosis, which can be confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. All palmer stages are amenable to surgical treatment with either arthroscopic wafer procedure (AWP) or ulnar shortening osteotomy, and neither the absence of a triangular fibrocartilage complex perforation nor neutral or negative variance contraindicate either. Because of its minimally invasive value proposition and likely success, there are few clinical scenarios for which I do not perform AWP preferentially. Furthermore, AWP is always preferable in smokers and in wrists in which a divergent orientation of the sigmoid notch and ulnar articular surfaces portend arthritic complication after ulnar shortening.
JAK/STAT inhibitors and other small molecule cytokine antagonists for the treatment of allergic disease.

Abstract Objective To provide an overview of janus kinase (JAK), chemoattractant receptor homologous molecule expressed on T H 2 cells (CRTH2), and phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors in allergic disorders. Data Sources PubMed literature review. Study Selections Articles included in this review discuss the emerging mechanism of action of small molecule inhibitors and their use in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and allergic rhinitis (AR). Results Allergic diseases represent a spectrum of diseases, including AD, asthma, and AR. For decades, these diseases have been primarily characterized by increased T H 2 signaling and downstream inflammation. In recent years, additional research has identified disease phenotypes and subsets of patients with non–Th2 mediated inflammation. The increasing heterogeneity of disease has prompted investigators to move away from wide-ranging treatment approaches with immunosuppressive agents, such as corticosteroids, to consider more targeted immunomodulatory approaches focused on specific pathways. In the past decade, inhibitors that target JAK signaling, PDE4, and CRTH2 have been explored for their potential activity in models of allergic disease and therapeutic benefit in clinical trials. Interestingly, although JAK inhibitors provide an opportunity to interfere with cytokine signaling and could be beneficial in a broad range of allergic diseases, current clinical trials are focused on the treatment of AD. Conversely, both PDE4 and CRTH2 inhibitors have been evaluated in a spectrum of allergic diseases. This review summarizes the varying degrees of success that these small molecules have demonstrated across allergic diseases. Conclusion Emerging therapies currently in development may provide more consistent benefit to patients with allergic diseases by specifically targeting inflammatory pathways important for disease pathogenesis.
Multivariate analysis of risk factors for Nuss bar infections: A single center study.

Abstract Background/Purpose Our previously published data suggested several risk factors for infection after the Nuss procedure. We aimed to further elucidate these findings. Methods An IRB-approved (14–03-WC-0034), single institution, retrospective review was performed to evaluate the incidence of postoperative Nuss bar infections associated with seven variables. These were subjected to bivariate and multivariable analyses. A broad definition of infection was used including cellulitis, superficial infection with drainage, or deep infection occurring at any time postoperatively. Results Over 7years (4/1/2009–7/31/2016), 25 (3.2%) of 781 patients developed a postoperative infection after primary Nuss repair. Multivariable analyses demonstrated an increased risk of infection with perioperative clindamycin versus cefazolin for all infections (AOR 3.72, p=.017), and specifically deep infections (AOR 5.72, p=.004). The risk of a superficial infection was increased when antibiotic infusion completed >60min prior to incision (AOR 10.4, p=.044) and with the use of peri-incisional subcutaneous catheters (OR 8.98, p=.008). Conclusion Following primary Nuss repair, the rate of deep bar infection increased with the use of perioperative clindamycin rather than cefazolin. The rate of superficial infection increased when perioperative antibiotic infusion was completed more than 60min prior to incision and with the use of peri-incisional subcutaneous catheters. Further studies are needed to better understand these findings. Type of study Retrospective chart review. Level of evidence Level III treatment study.
Drinking patterns and adherence to "low-risk" guidelines among community-residing older adults.

Abstract Background Older adults constitute a rapidly expanding proportion of the U.S. population. Contemporary studies note the increasing prevalence of alcohol consumption in this group. Thus, understanding alcohol effects, consumption patterns, and associated risks in aging populations constitute critical areas of study with increasing public health relevance. Methods Participants (n = 643; 292 women; ages 21–70) were community residing adult volunteers. Primary measures of interest included four patterns of alcohol consumption (average [oz./day]; typical quantity [oz./occasion]; frequency [% drinking days]; and maximal quantity [oz.]). Regression analyses explored associations between these measures, age, and relevant covariates. Subsequent between-group analyses investigated differences between two groups of older adults and a comparator group of younger adults, their adherance to “low-risk” guidelines, and whether alcohol-associated risks differed by age and adherence pattern. Results Average consumption did not vary by age or differ between age groups. In contrast, markedly higher frequencies and lower quantities of consumption were observed with increasing age. These differences persisted across adherence categories and were evident even in the oldest age group. Exceeding “low-risk” guidelines was associated with greater risk for alcohol-related problems among the older groups. Conclusions These results emphasize the utility of considering underlying constituent patterns of consumption in older drinkers. Findings highlight difficulties in identifying problem drinking among older adults and contribute to the few characterizations of “risky” drinking patterns in this group. Taken together, our data contribute to literatures of import for the design and enhancement of screening, prevention, and education initiatives directed toward aging adults.
Cell Labeling Methods for Noninvasive MR Imaging of Stem Cells

MRI tracking of stem cells and progenitor cells is now widely being pursued in preclinical models of neurological diseases, including stroke. Typically, the cells of interest are labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles that knock out the signal on the MR images. In this chapter, several methods are described that can be used to achieve intracellular SPIO labeling. In addition, some of the newer approaches are being discussed, in particular the use of perfluorocarbon emulsions for 19F hot spot MRI and MRI reporter genes, with the latter being the much sought-after holy grail for MRI cell tracking.
Metal Sensitivity: Is It Possible to Determine Clinically?

All implant metals degrade in vivo and the released debris (particles and ions) can cause delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses in certain individuals. While predisposition for metal sensitivity affects about 10–15 % of the population, this phenomenon is also dose dependent, where implants that release more metal (e.g. metal-on-metal) are more likely to induce metal sensitivity responses. Highly quantitative and less operator-dependent blood testing (lymphocyte transformation testing, metal LTT) may provide greater sensitivity than dermal patch testing; for patients with aseptic implant-related inflammation and pain, this testing can provide critical diagnostic information.
A MINDO/3 MO study of oxidized flavins

The use of semi-empirical molecular orbital methods for the study of biologically important molecules has increased in recent years. The validity of well-known approximate Hartree-Fock molecular orbital methods such as MINDO/3 and MNDO still remains largely untested for biological molecules. Here we report its first application to the study of the electronic structures of isoalloxazines. Electronic charge distribution, variation of dipole moment, first ionization potential, electron affinity, orbital energies and electronic transitions are examined. Some of these results are compared with experiments. Good correlations with experiments were generally found in net atomic charge distributions, ionization potentials and electronic transitions. As a result of relatively good correlations with experiment application of the MINDO/3 method for extended study of biologically important coenzymes is promising.
The Intestinal Microbiota – ‘Your Eating Feeds a Plethora of Guests’ and ‘This Plethora of Guests Determines Who You Are and How Well You Do’

The gastrointestinal tract of fishes and aquatic invertebrates provides home to an abundant and highly numerous and diverse community of microbes (bacteria, cyanobacteria, yeasts). This microbiota can be considered as a ‘forgotten organ’ or even a symbiotic ecosystem that significantly expands the ecological niche of the germfree conspecifics. The gut microbiota provides the host with a wide range of catabolic capabilities, improves growth performance, increases environmental stress resistance and longevity, elevates the innate immunity, likely impacts the circadian clock, and aids reproduction. Furthermore, it is required for normal neurobehavioral development and has the potential to determine the gender. The composition of the microbiota is controlled by species-specific genetic factors of the host, ontogenetic developmental stage, diets, and environmental factors. The question of whether there exists a core microbiome in the intestine of fishes and aquatic invertebrates is still controversially debated; however, the majority of reports point out the existence of a core microbiome. Several papers demonstrate a reduced microbiome diversity in captivity-raised as compared to wild animals. Bacterial populations are initiated with a few founding bacteria and grow to many thousands, whereby the growth exhibits dynamics typical of resource-limited growth. The host’s gut environment produces distinct spatiotemporal patterns. Many bacterial products and metabolites may themselves be directly or indirectly causative of behavioral change; for instance, dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus plantarum reduces the anxiety-related behavior. Similarly, there is a strong guess that the gut microbiota determines the success of invasive species. Since it is evident that the microbiota has enormous potential for health of farmed animals, strategic considerations are accumulating as to how microbial communities can be applied to mitigate emerging diseases in aquaculture.
Overview of Characterizing Cancer Glycans with Lectin-Based Analytical Methods

Glycosylation is a post-translational modification that is often altered in disease development and progression, including cancer. In cancerous patients, the abnormal expression of glycosylation enzymes leads to aberrant glycosylation, which has been linked to malignant tissues. Due to aberrant glycosylation, the presence of specific glycans can be used as biomarkers for identifying the type and stage of cancer. Glycan structures are heterogeneous, with different protein glycoforms having different functional activities. Lectins are an important tool in glycan analysis due to their specificity in binding to unique glycan linkages and monosaccharide units, which allows for the identification of unique glycan structural properties. In this review, we will discuss the use of lectins in microarrays and chromatography for characterizing glycan structures.
Adventitial Stromal Cells Define Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cell Tissue Niches

Summary Type 2 lymphocytes promote both physiologic tissue remodeling and allergic pathology, yet their physical tissue niches are poorly described. Here, we used quantitative imaging to define the tissue niches of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), which are critical instigators of type 2 immunity. We identified a dominant adventitial niche around lung bronchi and larger vessels in multiple tissues, where ILC2s localized with subsets of dendritic and regulatory T cells. However, ILC2s were most intimately associated with adventitial stromal cells (ASCs), a mesenchymal fibroblast-like subset that expresses interleukin-33 (IL-33) and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). In vitro, ASCs produced TSLP that supported ILC2 accumulation and activation. ILC2s and IL-13 drove reciprocal ASC expansion and IL-33 expression. During helminth infection, ASC depletion impaired lung ILC2 and Th2 cell accumulation and function, which are in part dependent on ASC-derived IL-33. These data indicate that adventitial niches are conserved sites where ASCs regulate type 2 lymphocyte expansion and function.
The Physics of Spreading Resistance Measurements

The spreading resistance method is uniquely suitable for the determination of electrical resistivities in a number of situations. However the technique does not simply measure the resistivity beneath the contacts. Considering the two probe configuration, what is actually measured is the ratio ΔV/I. Here ΔV is the difference between the Fermi levels of the probes necessary to maintain the sampling current I. This difference in the Fermi levels of the probes depends on the zero bias resistance of the probe - semiconductor contacts, the effective resistivity of the layers in a multilayer structure, and the configuration of the structure. The zero bias resistance depends on temperature and details of the metal-semiconductor contact including surface history. Effective resistivities enter into the measurement - and not the actual resistivities - because of the fact that the use of pressure probes creates a stress field under the contacts. This field falls off with a characteristic length of the order of the contact radius. Thus piezoresistivity effects - well known for Si - can be operative under the contacts. As a consequence of these various effects the interpretation of what ΔV/I is actually measuring is not straightforward. Practical application of the spreading resistance technique necessitates making certain simplifying assumptions. In light of the various phenomena involved in-a spreading resistance measurement it is imperative that the implications of these assumptions to the accuracy of the measurement be understood.
Psychological Adjustment in Teams: Team Member Well-Being Facilitates Transactive Memory Emergence

Transactive Memory Systems (TMS) have been linked to many critical organizational outcomes, including team performance and satisfaction. In this research, we seek to advance organizational theory a...
Employer Matching Contributions to Section 529 College Savings Plans

The alarming increase of higher education and the resulting growth of student debt in recent years has resulted in a number of employers adopting programs to assist employees with 529 college savin...
Growth and fecundity of several weed species in corn and soybean

Do weeds that emerge later in the season justify additional control costs? If crop yield is not reduced or few or no seeds are added to the soil seed bank, then no control may be needed. Eight weed species were sown in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (i) before crop emergence, (ii) at crop emergence, (iii) at V-1, and (iv) at V-2 stages of crop growth in 2002 and 2003. Weed seed was sown close to the crop row and thinned to 1.3 plants m -2 . Weed growth and fecundity were influenced by species, time of planting, and year. Only barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli L.), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti L.) survived to produce seed. Plants from the pre-emergence seeding had the largest canopy and produced the most seeds. Barnyardgrass had maximum canopy cover in early July in corn and late July in soybean but only produced seed in corn. Redroot pigweed and velvetleaf had maximum canopy cover in late August or mid-September, and some plants from most seeding dates survived and produced seed in both corn and soybean. However, plants that grew from seed sown at V-1 and V-2 crop growth stages did not reduce yield or biomass of adjacent crop plants, had low fecundity, and may not warrant treatment. Control may be necessary, however, to prevent yield losses if weeds are present at high densities or to prevent establishment of uncommon species.
The future is now! A supplemental webinar series to the First International Pediatric Cardio-Oncology Meeting

Abstract Planning for the First International Pediatric Cardio-Oncology Meeting has been underway since early 2019, with the original date in October 2020 delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But patients continue to need care, research carries on, and the ability to learn from our colleagues remains one of the most important tools in our collective ability to advance the field. Through collaboration with Heart University ( www.heartuniversity.org ), a free web-based global education resource and training tool with an emphasis on acquired and congenital heart disease, we are able to provide colleagues around the world with focused sessions similar to those that will be expanded at the in-person meeting. The first such two-hour webinar was presented live online on December 16, 2020, and moving forward similar webinars will be offered approximately every other month for the next year leading up to the in-person meeting in 2022, with all sessions available online afterward for on-demand viewing. Although we are excited to get together with our colleagues in person, why wait until then to share what we know? The future is now!
Poetry Generation Model via Deep learning incorporating Extended Phonetic and Semantic Embeddings

Arabic poetry generation is a very challenging task since the linguistic structure of the Arabic language is considered a severe challenge for many researchers and developers in the Natural Language Processing field. In this paper, we propose a poetry generation model with extended phonetic and semantic embeddings (Phonetic CNNsubword embeddings). The proposed approach consists of three stages: (1.) Word Embedding, (2.) Keywords Extraction and Expansion, and (3.) Poetry Generation stage. Our model is able to generate the first verse which explicitly incorporates the theme related phrase using the Backward and Forward Language Model (B/F-LM) with Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) cell, and then generates other verses of the poem sequentially, where each verse is composed based on a keyword and all previous generated verses using our proposed Hierarchy-Attention Sequence-to-Sequence model (HASS). We show that Phonetic CNN subword embeddings have an effective contribution to the overall model performance. The Keywords Extraction and Expansion stage can ensure that the generated poem is coherent and semantically consistent with the input query intent. A comprehensive human evaluation confirms that the poems generated by our model outperform the base models in criteria including Meaning, Coherence, Fluency, and Poeticness. Extensive quantitative experiments using Bi-Lingual Evaluation Understudy (BLEU) scores also demonstrate significant improvements over strong baselines.
Synergy and Redundancy Duality Between Gaussian Multiple Access and Broadcast Channels

We investigate a novel duality for scalar Gaussian multiple access channels and broadcast channels. The duality we explore is based on shared partial information quantities (e.g. synergy and redundancy). Using lattice theory, we establish a crossover correspondence of the synergistic and redundant components between these two channels. The dual channels are similar to the traditional pairs based on capacity regions, though the pairs we identify have equal transmission powers instead of a sum constraint relating transmission powers.
Olaparib and rucaparib for the treatment of DNA repair-deficient metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Metastatic prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease characterized by clinical and genomic heterogeneity. Many prostate cancers harbor mutations causing DNA repair deficiency, specifically homolog...
Chief Justice John Roberts: Institutionalism or Hubris?

The conventional wisdom about Chief Justice John Roberts is that he is, first and foremost, an institutionalist who cares deeply about the Court's reputation and his legacy as Chief Justice. This essay argues that, although there is some truth to that account, the most defining feature of the Chief's jurisprudence is his hubris not his institutional loyalties.
Analytical Study of Power Grid Pulsing

The next generation of fusion devices present a number of technical challenges. Not the least of these technical issues may be the required power consumption needed to establish the experimental co...
Adenine nucleotide metabolism of blood platelets. X. Formaldehyde stops centrifugation-induced secretion after A23187-stimulation and causes breakdown of metabolic ATP.

A23187 induced shape change, aggregation and secretion of platelets in plasma. When rapid cooling was used to stop secretion and centrifugation to separate the cells from the medium, maximal amounts of storage ATP plus ADP and preadsorbed [14C]serotonin were found in the supernatant immediately (less than 5 s) after A23187 addition. These results suggested that A23187 could cause shape change and aggregation through secreted ADP and not directly. When secretion was stopped with chilling and formaldehyde treatment before centrifugation, the secreted substances appeared after a lag of 60-120 s, i.e. after shape change was terminated and aggregation was well on its way. These two platelet responses thus seemed to be independent of secretion and induced directly by A23187. The absence of a lag period when secretion was stopped by chilling alone was thought to be due to centrifugation-induced secretion of platelets conditioned by A23187. Formaldehyde completely inhibited centrifugation-induced secretion. At 37 degrees C, formaldehyde caused rapid breakdown of metabolic ATP in platelets with a pattern dependent on the formaldehyde concentration: Below 50 mM, ATP was converted to inosine plus hypoxanthine via ADP, AMP and IMP and the adenylate energy charge was preserved. Above 100 mM, AMP was the end product with a drastic reduction in the adenylate energy charge. These changes were not due to lysis of the platelets, but were apparently caused by an formaldehyde-induced increase in cellular ATP consumption. Platelet secretion is usually associated with a conversion of metabolic ATP to hypoxanthine. Formaldehyde had to be used to stop secretion and since it caused breakdown of ATP, additional smaples were taken out for nucleotide determination during stirring of platelet-rich plasma with A23187. It was found that metabolic ATP was converted to inosine plus hypoxanthine only during the secretion step.
A social science basis for conceptualizing family health.

The increasing prevalence of emerging programs in family health care and the growing popularity of family medicine as an area of commitment for physicians in the United States invites a careful look at the nature of this new area of specialization and at the assumptions which are implied by this development. A brief look at the background of family medicine and a juxtaposition of the medical model and a construct of the family will suggest that the acceptance of the family as a target for health evaluation and health care requires serious reassessment of traditional practices.
Doing More with More: The UC CONSER Funnel Experience

In 2006, with the support of Cooperative Online Serials (CONSER), the University of California (UC) implemented a CONSER Funnel. The Funnel provides an opportunity for serials catalogers across UC campuses to edit CONSER-authenticated Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) master records. This article explores factors that led catalogers among the UC campuses to organize the Funnel, the organizational model developed for the UC CONSER Funnel, the cost/value of the Funnel to its members, and general considerations for implementing and sustaining a Funnel. The article concludes with a discussion of recent developments. Currently, changes in work environment due to Next Generation Melvyl (OCLC WorldCat Local), Web 2.0, and budget cuts are influencing evolution of the Funnel. Will these changes strengthen campus interest in cooperation or diminish the energy needed for this effort?
Miniature Optical Spectrometer with Sub-Nanometer Resolution

Combining integrated optics with free-space microoptics allows for a miniature spectrometer with optical components occupying less than 1cm3. Spectral resolution of 0.5nm over 450nm-650nm range is experimentally verified. The spectrometer is designed for on-chip systems.
Quenched disorder in a hierarchical Coulomb gas model

The effects of quenched disorder on the two-dimensional Coulomb gas are studied in the hierarchical approximation. The quenched random variables interact with the charges via a potential that decays as an inverse power (α) of the distance. Recursion relations for the single block charge activities are derived in which the quenched variables explicitly appear. In a linear approximation, for allα⩾1, with some restrictions on the variance of the normally distributed random variables, it is shown that the charge activities converge to the Kosterlitz-Thouless fixed point for all sufficiently low temperatures and sufficiently large blocks. The annealed system is also examined. This model is shown to have a Kosterlitz-Thouless phase only for an intermediate range of temperatures. At low temperatures the activities can diverge, and large charges can exist on all length scales.
Microvascular functional MR angiography with ultra-high-field 7 t MRI: Comparison with BOLD fMRI

Microvascular functional MR angiography using ultra-high-field 7 T MRI was used to visualize specific arterial changes in response to stimulation, and the results were compared to conventional blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). To demonstrate the potential of this new method, we conducted a visual experiment with 14 healthy subjects using optimized acquisition parameters and a dedicated radio frequency coil for 7 T MRI. The signal intensity change in the blood vessels supplying to the visual cortex, specifically the calcarine arteries, was clearly observed during stimulation. The signal changes were increased gradually up to as high as 12% as the vessel segments approach to the visual cortex where neuronal activity was believed to be occurred. The activation foci were not identical to those obtained by conventional fMRI, as expected, but they were closely related and confined to the visual cortical areas, when compared to fMRI responses. Therefore, fMRA technique using ultra-high-field 7 T MRI could provide the direct observation of microvascular changes in the arterial input vessels in relation to neuronal activity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 22, 18–22, 2012 © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stratum Corneum Reservoir Capacity Affecting Dynamics of Transdermal Drug Delivery

AbstractA number of researches 1-5 have reported the observations of reservoir capacity in human stratum corneum since Vickers clearly demonstrated this phenomenon in 1963 6. Both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs may be trapped in the matrix-structure of stratum corneum and diffuse out very slowly due to strong binding and/or markedly low diffusivlty (10 −10-10 −11cm 2 /S) 7, 8. since it affects significantly the dynamics of transdermal drug delivery, the reservoir capacity of the stratum corneum should be thoroughly investigated before a transdermal drug delivery system is developed. In spite of the evidence of the stratum corneum reservoir effect, its mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. There is no quantitative interpretation reported in the literature which could assist us to gain a fundamental understanding the dynamic characteristics of stratum corneum reservoir capacity.
Levels of autonomy of nurse practitioners in an acute care setting.

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the level of autonomy of nurse practitioners (NPs) providing care to an adult patient population in an acute care setting. Data sources: Data were collected from 54 NPs in different specialty areas currently working in a large metropolitan hospital. The Dempster Practice Behaviors Scale was used to measure the autonomy of the NPs. Conclusions: The overall mean autonomy score of 117.37 (SD = 14.55) indicates a high level of autonomy of the NPs in this study. Forty-one percent of the participants had very high levels of autonomy, 31.5% had extremely high levels of autonomy, and 19% had moderate levels of autonomy. Demographic variables of age; years worked as an NP, as an RN, and at current job; highest educational level; basic nursing preparation; NP certification; and specialty had no statistically significant relationship with autonomy scores. Implications for practice: The results of this study provided preliminary evidence of the level of autonomy of NPs providing inpatient care to adult patients in an acute care setting. The findings could lead to future research on the impact of NP services on patient outcomes and clinical productivity in acute care settings.
Methylation of ribonucleic acids and hormone-induced α-amylase synthesis in the aleurone cells

Abstract [Me-14C]Methionine is incorporated into RNA's of aleurone cells. When compared to the controls, the methylation of the purine residues of tRNA and heavy rRNA is enhanced in the gibberellic acid-treated tissue. l -Ethionine inhibits the incorporation of [Me-14C]methionine into nucleic acids, alters the incorporation of [5-3H]uridine into RNA and decreases the specific activity of [U-14C]tyrosine-labeled α-amylase. Studies with [Et-14C]ethionine show that most of the [Me-14C]methionine-labeled components of RNA can also be labeled by [Et-14C]ethionine; and the major [Me-14C]methionine containing peptides of α-amylase molecules can be replaced by ethionine. Because the addition of ethionine during the period of low enzyme activity inhibits the methylation of RNA's alters the synthesis of RNA's, and decreases the amount and specific activity of α-amylase, we believe that the methylation of nucleic acids is important for the hormone-evoked enzyme synthesis.
A randomized controlled trial comparing oxytocin administration before and after placental delivery in the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage.

Abstract Objective: To determine if the timing of the administration of prophylactic oxytocin influences the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage caused by uterine atony, retained placenta, and third-stage duration. Study Design: Parturients who presented for vaginal delivery were randomized in a double-blinded fashion to receive oxytocin, 20 units in a 500-mL crystalloid intravenous bolus, beginning upon delivery of either the fetal anterior shoulder or placenta. For all patients, the third stage of labor was managed with controlled cord traction until placental expulsion, followed by at least 15 seconds of fundal massage. Patients were excluded if they had a previous cesarean section, multiple gestation, antepartum hemorrhage, or bleeding disorder. Results: A total of 1486 patients were enrolled: 745 in the before-placenta group and 741 in the afterplacenta group. The groups were similar with respect to gestational age, fetal weight, labor duration, maternal age, parity, and ethnicity. The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage did not differ significantly between the two groups (5.4% vs 5.8%; crude OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.43). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to incidence of retained placenta (2.4% vs 1.6%; OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.72 to 3.08), or third-stage duration (7.7 minutes vs 8.1 minutes; P =.23). Conclusions: The administration of prophylactic oxytocin before placental delivery does not reduce the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage or third-stage duration, when compared with giving oxytocin after placental delivery. Early administration, however, does not increase the incidence of retained placenta. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185: 873–7.)
Swarm intelligence: power in numbers

Following a trail of insects as they work together to accomplish a task offers unique possibilities for problem solving.