cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Custom Task Trainer for the Placement of Esophageal Balloon Catheters

Background: The lack of high fidelity task trainers presents a barrier to implementing invasive diagnostic procedures. The complexity of new evidence based modalities, such as esophageal balloon monitoring, requires comprehensive training to diminish patient risk. The objective of this study is to determine whether creating a custom task trainer improves confidence and simulates the appropriate ventilator scalar waveform responses for accurate placement. Methods: Sixteen hospital based registered respiratory therapists participated in the task training, with each performing three attempts at catheter placement. A non-functional, modified SimMan Classic was used as a chassis foundation. Extension tubing for the esophagus and trachea was created from silicone tubing. The stomach was created from a self-inflating bag and a one-way valve was placed at the top of the esophagus to maintain circuit pressure. A Y-connection was used to connect the trachea to the test lung and the back of the stomach to translate airway pressure to the esophagus. A servo control closed a hinge on the esophagus to create the cardiac oscillations in the correct location. Multiple 9dry runs9 were conducted to ensure alterations to the SimMan Classic were able to produce cardiac oscillations for accurate catheter placement. Data collected from a post-training survey was used to determine if objectives were met. Results: Participant success rate for placing the catheter while observing the appropriate ventilator scalar waveform response mean (SD) 2.8 +0.4, or 93.7%. Limitations to the device include the inability to simulate inspiratory and expiratory maneuvers due to the one-way valve, which required the use of a secondary simulator for pressure interpretation and ventilator optimization. When participants were asked if the simulator increased confidence for performing this procedure, results showed 38% strongly agreed, 50% agreed and 12% somewhat agreed. When asked if the simulator was realistic enough to practice the skills necessary to accurately place the catheter, 50% strongly agreed and 50% agreed. Conclusions: There is a need for further investigation and development of simulators for the training of complex, invasive respiratory procedures. Future simulator versions to include the ability to perform inspiratory and expiratory maneuvers would be optimal for comprehensive training in esophageal balloon monitoring.
Structure–Property Relationship of Cellulose Nanocrystal–Polyvinyl Alcohol Thin Films for High Barrier Coating Applications

CO2 and O2 gas permeability are paramount concerns in food packaging. Here, the permeability of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coatings was explored as it relates to varied CNC content. Specifically, this work focuses on the role of PVA in rheology and barrier performance of the CNC films. Results show that shear-casted CNC films are transparent and have a high-order parameter, which is attributed to the shear-thinning behavior of the CNCs. The barrier performance of the CNC films improved because of the synergistic effect of having both alignment of CNCs and a lower free volume. The CNC-PVA films exhibited excellent barrier performance as compared to traditional engineered polymers, even much higher than high barrier ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer films. Furthermore, the moisture sensitivity of the films was greatly diminished with the addition of PVA. Overall, the results show applicability of CNC-PVA coating formulations for high barrier packaging applications.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Trends and Disparities in the United States: Who Is Getting Left Behind?

BACKGROUND United States guidelines recommend human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for males and females up to 26, with more recent extended coverage for those 27 to 45 years based on discussion with patients' clinician. This study seeks to assess trends and disparities of vaccination in the United States based on demographic characteristics. METHODS Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 and 2016. χ2 Analyses were used for statistical methods. RESULTS Of 12,844 participants (median age, 22 years; range, 9-36 years), 2711 (21.3%) initiated HPV vaccination, of which 1358 (56.3%) completed the 3-dose vaccination series. Vaccination rates were higher in females compared with males (24.6% vs 13.0%; P < 0.001) and in Whites compared to Mexican Americans (22.6% vs 19.4%; P = 0.02). The uninsured had lower vaccination rates than private insurance and Medicaid (12.5% vs 22.4% vs 28.5%; P < 0.001). We divided the 10 year study into five separate periods (2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2013-2014, and 2015-2016) to analyze trends. Vaccine initiation increased from 19.6% to 49.6% for 14-19-year olds (P < 0.001), 10.4% to 35.5% for females (P < 0.001), and 8.5% to 32.9% for Blacks (P < 0.001). Although on trend analyses, the vaccination rates with the highest proportional increase were found in those: older than 25 to 29 years (4.56-fold), Mexican Americans (4.56 fold), below high school education (2.32 fold), and low income group (2.90 fold) over time. CONCLUSIONS The HPV vaccination rates in Mexican Americans increased nearly 5-fold over the last 10 years. However, their vaccination rates continue to lag behind Whites and Blacks.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: Update on Current Clinical Diagnosis and Management

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a disease afflicting individuals exposed to repetitive neurotrauma. Unfortunately, diagnosis is made by postmortem pathologic analysis, and treatment options are primarily symptomatic. In this clinical update, we review clinical and pathologic diagnostic criteria and recommended symptomatic treatments. We also review animal models and recent discoveries from pre-clinical studies. Furthermore, we highlight the recent advances in diagnosis using diffusor tensor imaging, functional magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and the fluid biomarkers t-tau, sTREM2, CCL11, NFL, and GFAP. We also provide an update on emerging pharmaceutical treatments, including immunotherapies and those that target tau acetylation, tau phosphorylation, and inflammation. Lastly, we highlight the current literature gaps and guide future directions to further improve clinical diagnosis and management of patients suffering from this condition.
Instructional strategies: Teaching nursing in today's diverse and inclusive landscape

Abstract In today's university and college programs, it is crucial for nurse educators to value and embrace diversity and inclusion. Positive student learning outcomes result when all learners are valued, respected, and appreciated. Therefore, faculty training on the importance of diversity and inclusion and the use of evidence-based instructional strategies in the classroom setting is vital towards encompassing a learning environment that embraces diversity and inclusion for all. Additionally, faculty training that incorporates self-reflection with the purpose of gaining insight into one's cultural views and upbringing, is valuable to identifying any potential biases. This article benefits nurse educators at all program degree levels and settings as it provides insight into creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment. Furthermore, aids in discovery of own potential stereotypes and biases, and equips educators with evidence-based strategies to manage, foster, and promote optimal learning environments for all students.
Epigenetics and regenerative medicine

Abstract The study of the role of epigenetics in regulating disease and degeneration is a constantly expanding field encompassing a broad range of marks from DNA methylation, histone modification, and small RNA regulation that can make rapid changes in gene expression activity in response to extrinsic factors. These modifications are becoming increasingly important in our understanding of degeneration and our pursuit of regenerative therapies. Here, we discuss recent advances in epigenetic regulation in aging and disease and have identified new epigenetic changes that both broaden our understanding of epigenetic misregulation as a driver of degeneration, and we present novel epigenetic editing tools with promising therapeutic and research potential.
Footbinding and Women's Labor in Sichuan

1. Footbinding in Sichuan, 1854 to 1954 2. Patchworking Sichuan Women's History across 100 Years 3. Erotic Attraction vs. Mothers-in-law, State Mandates and Early Unbinding 4. Structure, Hypergamy and Footbinding 5. The Life Course 6. Girls and Hidden Work 7. Textiles and Footbinding 8. Hypergendering
An Insidious Mode of Oxidative Degradation in a SiC-SiC Composite

The oxidative durability of a SiC-SiC composite with Hi-Nicalon fiber and BN interphase was investigated at 800 C (where pesting is known to occur in SiC-SiC composites) for exposure durations of up to 500 hours and in a variety of oxidant mixes and flow rates, ranging from quasi-stagnant room air, through slow flowing O2 containing 30-90% H2O, to the high-velocity flame of a burner rig. Degradation of the composite was determined from residual strength and fracture strain in post-exposure mechanical tests and correlated with microstructural evidence of damage to fiber and interphase. The severest degradation of composite behavior was found to occur in the bumer rig, and is shown to be connected with the high oxidant velocity and substantial moisture content, as well as a thin sublayer of carbon indicated to form between fiber and interphase during composite processing.
Genome Identification and Classification by Short Oligo Arrays

We explore the problem of designing oligonucleotides that help locate organisms along a known phylogenetic tree. We develop a suffix-tree based algorithm to find such short sequences efficiently. Our algorithm requires O(Nm) time and O(N) space in the worst case where m is the number of the genomes classified by the phylogeny and N is their total length. We implemented our algorithm and used it to find these discriminating sequences in both small and large phylogenies. We believe our algorithm will have wide applications including: high-throughput classification and identification, oligo array design optimally differentiating genes in gene families, and markers for closely related strains and populations. It will also have scientific significance as a new way to assess the confidence in a given classification.
A device for producing uniform plasmas for advanced accelerator experiments

The authors report the development of a device that produces uniform plasmas of density 10/sup 14/-10/sup 15/ cm/sup -3/ over volumes >1 cm/sup 3/ and discuss applications for the realization of plasma lens and plasma accelerator experiments. The device is based on a high-current hollow-cathode pulsed discharge that has demonstrated a uniform, repeatable plasma and can be operated at high repetition rates with low energy storage and dissipation. The high current and electron densities are possible due to a superemissive self-heated cathode. The cathode is molybdenum that has a thin surface layer heated to its melting point ( approximately 2900 K) by ion bombardment during the transient phase of the pulsed discharge. This hot surface layer produces a significant field-enhanced thermionic emission from an initially cold cathode. >
An overview of grid file transfer patterns and their implementation in the Java CoG kit

Accessing flies on remote resources is a required function in Grids. In this paper, we report on the file transfer patterns supported in the Java CoG Kit. These patterns are supported by a rich set of accompanying components, including Java classes and methods, command line tools, graphical user interfaces, and portals. The patterns and their implementations are exposed through familiar Java language capabilities of interfaces, hence hiding the underlying protocols. Using these interfaces, one can provide a variety of implementations for diverse file transfer mechanisms and protocols. Together, these tools can be used to implement more sophisticated services. We present a number of prototype applications reusing the Java CoG Kits file transfer patterns. Additionally, we present performance numbers based on a typical client deployment scenario.
A simple method inverting light-scattering data of a diffusive system into the particle size distribution function

The information content of data for the spectral attenuation /spl sigma/ at /spl lambda/=0.55 /spl mu/m and for the Angstrom parameter /spl alpha/ in the visible range for the marine atmosphere was examined for the use in the reconstruction of the aerosol particle size spectrum. The particle size distribution curve was parameterized by a sum of two log-normal distributions, which means that it contained six unknown parameters to be determined from the two measured characteristics. Some parameters were fixed at their typical values in order to diminish the uncertainty of the problem. In the example illustrating the procedure, the total particle concentration and the fraction of the fine and large component were fixed. The number of members of the ensemble was great, because the answer was ambiguous. It is remarkable, however, that in the active particle interval, different members of the ensemble have close distribution curves, so it is natural to accept an average curve as a solution to the problem. In spite of the small body of initial information, the accuracy of the procedure was quite reasonable. It can also be seen how the error grows with the particle radius.
Cation transport and energy metabolism in the high Na+, low K+ erythrocyte of the harbor seal, Phoca vitulina.

1. 1. Cation transport in relation to cell metabolism in the high Na+, low K+ seal erythrocyte was investigated. Under steady-state conditions at 40°C, Na+ efflux was32 ± 4·0 (S.D.) m-equiv. × kg RBC H2O−1 × hr−1and K+ influx was 1·1 ± 0·38m-equiv. × kg RBC H2O−1 × hr−1. 2. 2. Both fluxes were insensitive to ouabain (10−4 M) and an inhibitor of anaerobic metabolism, monoiodoacetate (10−4 M). 3. 3. Ethanol (5 × 10−1 M) decreased Na+ efflux in the seal erythrocyte and the high Na+, low K+ cat erythrocyte but did not affect Na+ transport in the low Na+, high K+ human erythrocyte. 4. 4. Valinomycin (10−5 M) produced increased permeability to K+ without effect on Na+ transport. 5. 5. Lactate production (2·4 ± 0·29 mM×1.RBC H2O−1 × hr−1) was not decreased significantly by ouabain. 6. 6. Adenosinetriphosphate (ATP) concentrations (0·4 ± 0·03 (S.D.)mM/5·0 mM Hb) and 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (2,3 DPG) concentrations (6·5 ± 0·53 (S.D.) mM/5·0 mM Hb) provide evidence that this cell possesses an active glycolytic mechanism for high energy phosphate production. 7. 7. Quantitatively, the level of energy transduction is similar in both high Na+, low K+ seal erythrocytes and low Na+, high K+ human erythrocytes despite the small calculated minimal work cost of cation transport in the former.
Automatic generation of graphic displays of data structures through a preprocessor

Recent attention has been given to graphic display routines that allow the programmer to observe the effects of applications programs on various data structures. Much of the work reported in the literature has involved the animation of specific algorithms and has necessitated manual effort by programmers on an application by application basis. Results of initial work in developing a general purpose tool for the display of data structures have already been published. In order to make the tool more widely used and more flexible it is necessary that some type of automatic processing be provided to allow for the generation of the graphic display routines themselves. Initial work in this area and further avenues of research are discussed.
Urbanization, climate change and flood policy in the United States

The average annual cost of floods in the United States has been estimated at about $2 billion (current US dollars). The federal government, through the creation of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), has assumed responsibility for mitigating the societal and economic impacts of flooding by establishing a national policy that provides subsidized flood insurance. Increased flood costs during the past two decades have made the NFIP operate at a deficit. This paper argues that our current understanding of climate change and of the sensitivity of the urban environment to floods call for changes to the flood policy scheme. Conclusions are drawn on specific examples from cities along the heavily urbanized corridor of northeastern United States. Mesoscale and global models along with urbanization and economic growth statistics are used to provide insights and recommendations for future flood costs under different emissions scenarios. Mesoscale modeling and future projections from global models suggest, for example, that under a high emissions scenario, New York City could experience almost twice as many days of extreme precipitation that cause flood damage and are disruptive to business as today. The results of the paper suggest that annual flood costs in the United States will increase sharply by the end of the 21st Century, ranging from about $7 to $19 billion current US dollars, depending on the economic growth rate and the emissions scenarios. Hydrologic, hydraulic and other related uncertainties are addressed and a revised version of the NFIP is suggested.
Coarsening of eutectic fiber composites during cooling from the eutectic temperature

Coarsening and microstructural changes, which occur on cooling from the eutectic temperature, were experimentally studied in Al-Al3Ni eutectic fiber composites solidified at rates of 0.8, 5.0 and 32.5 cm per h. At the two higher growth rates, changes in fiber density on the order of 10 pct were observed between the solid-liquid interface and positions 2.0 cm from the interface. At the low growth rate the surface roughness of the as-grown fiber was noticeably decreased during cooling from the eutectic temperature. Theoretical expressions relating the change in average fiber radius or fiber density as a function of position were developed in terms of the solidification conditions, growth rate and temperature gradient, as well as the usual kinetic and thermodynamic factors influencing coarsening. The model was combined with independently obtained isothermal coarsening data to compare the experimentally observed extent of coarsening with that predicted. The pre-dictions of the model agreed qualitatively with the data on the effect of growth rate on coarsening, but the absolute extent of coarsening was greater than that predicted from the isothermal studies.
High-speed imaging of human retina in vivo with swept-source optical coherence tomography

We present the first demonstration of human retinal imaging in vivo using optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) in the 800-nm range. With 460-µW incident power on the eye, the sensitivity is 91 dB at maximum and >85 dB over 2-mm depth range. The axial resolution is 13 µm in air. We acquired images of retina at 43,200 depth profiles per second and a continuous acquisition speed of 84 frames/s (512 A-lines per frame) could be maintained over more than 2 seconds.
Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Analysis of Renal Oncocytoma Reveals Frequent Loss of Chromosomes Y and 1

AbstractPurpose: Cytogenetic studies of a small number of renal oncocytomas have indicated that loss of chromosomes 1 and Y may be involved in the pathogenesis of this tumor. To evaluate these observations further we selected paraffin embedded renal oncocytoma specimens from 20 male and 10 female patients for fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis.Materials and Methods: Isolated nuclei were prepared from paraffin embedded specimens, and fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed with enumeration probes for chromosomes 1, 12, × and Y.Results: Tumors from 10 male (50 percent) and 4 female (40 percent) patients demonstrated chromosomal alterations. Loss of chromosome Y was observed in specimens from all 10 male patients, and loss of chromosome 1 or gain of chromosome 12 was noted in 5 and 2 of these specimens, respectively. Of the 4 female patients with chromosomal abnormalities 2 had loss of chromosome 1, 1 had gain of chromosome 1 and 1 had gain of chromosome 12.Conclusions: Our results confirm ...
The Possibility of Inquiry. Meno's Paradox from Socrates to Sextus

The nature of inquiry, its preconditions, and its relation to knowledge were central issues in ancient epistemology, which find almost no analogues in contemporary discussions. Gail Fine, in this c...
Age-related differences in white matter tract microstructure are associated with cognitive performance from childhood to adulthood.

Background Age-related differences in white matter tract microstructure have been well established across the life span. In the present cross-sectional study, we examined whether these differences are associated with neurocognitive performance from childhood to late adulthood. Methods Diffusion tensor imaging was performed in 296 healthy subjects aged 8 to 68 years (mean = 29.6, SD = 14.6). The corpus callosum, two projection tracts, and five association tracts were traced using probabilistic tractography. A neurocognitive test battery was used to assess speed of processing, attention, spatial working memory, verbal functioning, visual learning, and executive functioning. Linear mediation models were used to examine whether differences in white matter tract fractional anisotropy (FA) were associated with neurocognitive performance, independent of the effect of age. Results From childhood to early adulthood, higher FA of the cingulum bundle and inferior frontooccipital fasciculus (IFOF) was associated with higher executive functioning and global cognitive functioning, respectively, independent of the effect of age. When adjusting for speed of processing, FA of the IFOF was no longer associated with performance in the other cognitive domains with the exception of visual learning. From early adulthood to late adulthood, white matter tract FA was not associated with cognitive performance independent of the age effect. Conclusions The cingulum bundle may play a critical role in protracted maturation of executive functioning. The IFOF may play a key role in maturation of visual learning and may act as a central “hub” in global cognitive maturation by subserving maturation of processing speed.
Prior pregastric food stimulation and gastrin-releasing peptide1–27 (GRP) synergize to inhibit sham feeding

Abstract The hypothesis that prior pregastric food stimulation is sufficient to reveal an inhibitory effect of gastrin-releasing peptide 1–27 (GRP) on sham feeding was tested in 11 male rats equipped with chronic gastric cannulas. Rats were sham fed a high-carbohydrate solution during a 45-min test session, after 17-h food deprivation. GRP (16 or 32 μg/kg) or saline was injected intraperitoneally either at the onset or 5 or 15 min after the onset of sham feeding. This allowed for a 0-, 5-, or 15-min period of pregastric food stimulation before GRP or saline injections. Sham intake was recorded every 5 min, and behavior was observed every minute. GRP inhibited sham feeding when it was administered after 5 or 15 min of prior pregastric food stimulation, but not when it was administered at test onset. A nonsignificant increase in resting behavior and decrease in feeding behavior were associated with the decrease in sham feeding. No anomalous behaviors were noted. We conclude that a synergy between GRP and prior pregastric, presumably oral, food stimulation is sufficient to inhibit sham feeding.
Energy straggling of protons in carbon

Abstract Ion backscattering from solid targets containing elements having prominent features in their scattering cross section is a new and accurate technique for measuring the energy straggling Ω of the incident particles. The 0.47 and 1.73 MeV elastic scattering resonances of protons in carbon were used to determine proton straggling. A nearly perfect graphite crystal was used to eliminate surface roughness and porosity as sources of error. In addition, measurements were made 20° off the c-axis to minimize channeling. The results are summarized by defining ƒ=Ω/Ω B , where Ω B is the straggling predicted by Bohr theory. For the 1.73 MeV resonance 〈ƒ〉 is 0.9±0.1 for Ep between o.5 and 2.1 MeV, whereas for the 0.47 MeV resonance 〈ƒ〉 is 0.0 −0.0 +1.5 for Ep between 0.25 and 0.6 MeV, indicating the limitation of the lower energy resonance for straggling measurements.
Highly Efficient Phosphorescent Light-Emitting Diodes by Using an Electron-Transport Material with High Electron Affinity

Spin-coated polymer-based phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs) were found to be substantially brighter and more efficient when 4,9-diphenylbisindenoanthorazoline (DADA) was used as an electron-transport material compared to widely used Alq3. Devices with fac-tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium (Ir(ppy)3) dispersed in poly(N-vinylcarbazole) as the emissive layer and DADA as the electron-transport layer showed a maximum brightness of 73 600 cd/m2 and a maximum luminous efficiency of 48.1 cd/A at a brightness of 5640 cd/m2. The high electron affinity (3.67 eV) and electron mobility (3.1 × 10−5 cm2/V·s) of DADA explain its effectiveness as an electron-transport material in PhOLEDs. These results demonstrate the use of an electron-transport material having a high electron affinity as a promising strategy for improving the charge injection and overall performance of PhOLEDs.
Arrangement of phosphatidylethanolamine molecular species in Escherichia coli membranes and reconstituted lipids as determined by dimethyl suberimidate cross-linking of nearest neighbor lipids.

Abstract Dimethylsuberimidate cross-linking has been used to determine the arrangement of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) molecular species in Escherichia coli membranes. No large deviations from random mixing were found in wild-type strain AB1623, either in whole cells or in extracted lipids which were reconstituted into multilamellar vesicles. These results suggest, first, that there is little difference in the PE molecular species composition of the three lipid monolayers (the inner and outer monolayers of the inner membrane and the inner monolayer of the outer membrane) which contain significant amounts of PE. Secondly, the results suggest that the molecular species within each monolayer and in the extracted lipids are arranged close to randomly with no tendency for like molecular species to cluster. E. coli strain L8-2, which has a defect in β-oxidation and a temperature-sensitive mutation in total fatty acid synthesis, was grown on cis-vaccenate (cis-11,12-octadecenate) to enrich the cells in divaccenoyl PE. Again, in whole cells or in lipids extracted from whole cells and reconstituted into multilamellar vesicles, the species were close to randomly arranged. However, a consistent, slight tendency of divaccenoyl species to pair with like species as compared to pairing with the second most common species, vaccenoyl, palmitoleoyl PE, was noted in both extracted lipids and in whole cells.
Optimal fractional movement-based scheme for PCS location management

In this letter, we propose a fractional movement-based location update scheme for personal communication service networks. Similar to the well-known fractional guard channel scheme for channel assignments, in our proposed scheme, the movement threshold is a real number with a fraction instead of an integer. We prove analytically that there is a unique optimal fractional movement threshold that minimizes the total cost of location updates and paging per call arrival.
African hotspots and their relation to the underlying mantle

Several lines of evidence indicate that Africa has been stationary relative to the underlying mantle since Miocene time. If so, it may provide a unique window to the underlying mantle convection systems. One possible hotspot population indicates a polygonal cell system that correlates with laboratory models in both plan form and scale.
Internal disruptions in tokamaks

The authors study the hypothesis that sawtooth oscillations or internal disruptions are the result of a cyclic process in which the plasma core is resistively heated until the safety factor drops below unity, causing the m = 1 tearing mode to become unstable, to grow with an accelerating growth rate, and ultimately to flatten the electron temperature and safety factor profiles. A model based on this hypothesis compares favourably with experimental data from the Oak Ridge Tokamak (ORMAK) in explaining (1) the rate at which a sawtooth rises, (2) the radial dependence of the precursor and main sawtooth oscillation amplitudes, (3) the accelerating growth of the m = 1 precursor oscillations, and (4) the repetition time of the sawteeth. The heat lost from the central region during the internal disruption is found to transport diffusively through the exterior plasma with a conduction coefficient that agrees within a factor of two with the value inferred from the observed electron power balance.
Comparison of icepel code predictions with straight flexible pipe experiments

Abstract Experimental results on the pressure pulse propagation along plastically deforming pipes are interpreted. The tests are also analyzed by the ICEPEL piping code and the results compared with the experimental measurements of both pressure and circumferential strain histories in the pipe.
Classification of microcalcifications in digital mammograms using trend-oriented radial basis function neural network

Abstract We proposed some novel classification features for the microcalcification of mammograms, and selected the effective combined features using Karhunen–Loeve (KL) transformation followed by the restricted Euclidean distance measure, and finally applied the proposed trend-oriented radial basis function neural network (TRBF-NN) to distinguish the benign group from the malignant group and evaluate the performance with the round-robin method. The two-dimensional KL features were more distinguishable than the raw two-dimensional features. The TRBF-NN was able to define the more generalized distribution than those distributions defined by the conventional RBF-NNs. According to the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the proposed system performed better than two trained radiologists.
Quaternary structure dynamics and carbon monoxide binding kinetics of hemoglobin valency hybrids.

The kinetics of CO binding and changes in quaternary structure for symmetric valency hybrids of human hemoglobin have been extensively studied by laser photolysis techniques. Both alpha+beta and alpha beta+ hybrids were studied with five different ferric ligands, over a broad range of CO concentrations and photolysis levels. After full CO photolysis, the hybrid tetramers switch extensively and rapidly ( T and T --> R transition rates for valency hybrid tetramers with 0 and 1 bound CO have been obtained, as well as the CO association rates for alpha and beta subunits in the R and T states. The results reveal submillisecond R reversible T interconversion, and, for the first time, the changes in quaternary rates and equilibria due to binding a single CO per tetramer have been resolved. The data also show significant alpha-beta differences in quaternary dynamics and equilibria. The allosteric constants do not vary with the spin states of the ferric subunits as predicted by the Perutz stereochemical model. For the alpha beta+CN hybrid the kinetics are heterogeneous and imply partial conversion to a T-like state with very low (seconds) R reversible T interconversion.
Sample size calculation for paired survival data: a simulation method

This paper proposes a sample size calculation method for rank tests for paired two-sample survival data using simulation method. A paired exponential survival model is specified by the marginal hazard rates and the correlation coefficient. Input variables include type I and II error probabilities, marginal hazard rates under the alternative hypothesis, accrual rate and follow-up period. Using efficient algorithms, our simulation method provides required sample size within minutes. The method is easily extended to sample size calculation for K-sample tests under dependence.
CRT TEXT VS. VHF VOICE: EFFECTS OF COMMUNICATION MODALITY IN SINGLE-PILOT COCKPITS

Communications datalink, the transmission of messages as screen-displayed text between cockpits and ground stations, appears to offer both advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional VHF voice communications. The study reported here examines both the communication and performance of integrated communications datalink in single pilot instrument flight operations. Sixteen pilots flew two cross-country instrument flights in an AST complex-aircraft flight simulator with a moving map, traffic, and datalinked message display. In the conventional voice condition experimenters played the role of ATC controllers speaking over the radio. In the datalinked condition, controllers operated a computerized ‘ground station’, sending and receiving text messages on screen. Pilot communications, control and performance data were monitored for each phase of flight, as well as the interaction of pilot expertise and workload. The results suggest that communications datalink may widen the performance gap between exper...
Human bone cells contain a fluoride sensitive acid phosphatase: evidence that this enzyme functions at neutral pH as a phosphotyrosyl protein phosphatase.

Fluoride is a potent therapeutic agent that increases spinal bone density in osteoporotic subjects. Based on work with animal cells previously, we proposed fluoride acts by inhibiting phosphotyrosyl protein phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.48) activity in bone cells. The presence of fluoride sensitive acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) activity was characterized in extracts of cultured human bone cells. Crude extracts contained acid phosphatase activity that was inhibited by fluoride with an apparent Ki of 12 μmol/L. The activity was investigated further by separating the acid phosphatase isoenzymes using CM Sepharose chromatography and a gradient of acetate pH 4.8–6.5. The major peak of activity recovered from CM Sepharose chromatography was characterized for stability, Km and inhibition by fluoride. The enzyme was sensitive to inhibition by tartrate, had a high affinity for paranitrophenylphosphate (apparent Km = 0.158 μpmol/L) and an apparent pH optimum of 4.8. Fluoride was a strong competitive inhibitor with an apparent Ki of 12.4 μmol/L. The column fractions containing the acid phosphatase were tested further for phosphotyrosyl protein phosphatase activity using [32P]labeled phosphotyrosyl histone as the substrate. Release of [32P]phosphate from this substrate at pH 7.0 was proportional to enzyme concentration and incubation time, demonstrating the presence of phosphotyrosyl protein phosphatase activity. The phosphotyrosyl protein phosphatase activity was inhibited by fluoride and had a pH optimum of approximately 7. These observations indicate that human osteoblasts contain a fluoride-sensitive phosphotyrosyl protein phosphatase. Thus, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that fluoride stimulates human bone cell proliferation by inhibiting the action of phosphotyrosyl protein phosphatase, thereby increasing the level of phosphorylated tyrosine residues which are known to play a role in increasing cell proliferation.
Anxieties of an Ethnic Transition The Election of the First Latino Mayor in Providence, Rhode Island

This study shows that both race and perceptions about one’s personal economic situation can play a role in how voters assess the likely future of the city under a racially other mayor. Using the hi...
Reaching the breaking point: a dynamic process theory of business-to-business customer defection

Qualitative field research based on long depth interviews with business-to-business customers who defected from a supplier relationship is used to develop an integrated theoretical framework explaining how the defection decision process unfolds over time in business-to-business relationships. The authors develop a taxonomy of events, both internal and external to the relationship, that are proposed to create “defection energy,” or the motivation to move a customer from relationship status quo toward a defection decision. The framework illustrates how these internal and external events interact with the organization’s and the individual decision maker’s goals, practices, and values to engage a dynamic anchoring and updating mechanism based on accumulated defection energy that drives the process toward a decision threshold. The research offers marketers insights to improve defection management, including an understanding of how organizational and individual customer needs shape relationships; that defection decisions build as a result of multiple events over time, requiring a longer-term perspective on defection; and that defection decisions can be influenced by events outside the core product or service delivery process, suggesting that these decisions need to be understood within the broader context of the overall relationship.
Factors governing the modulation of vinca-alkaloid resistance in doxorubicin-resistant cells by the calmodulin inhibitor trifluoperazine

Calmodulin inhibitors enhance the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin (DOX) in DOX-resistant (P388/DOX) P388 mouse leukemia cells by augmenting cellular accumulation and retention of drug. In P388/DOX cells which are cross-resistant to vinblastine (VLB) and vincristine (VCR), cell kill following treatment with VLB and VCR alone was evident only after 12 hr of treatment. Additionally, the 2- to 10-fold increase in cytotoxicity of the vinca alkaloids in the presence of 2 and 4 microM trifluoperazine (TFP) was observed only in P388/DOX cells treated for 12 hr, but not for 3 or 6 hr. However, in DOX-sensitive (P388/S) P388 mouse leukemia cells, cytotoxic effects of VCR but not VLB were apparent after treatment for 3 hr, and cell kill with VLB and VCR was enhanced 2- to 20-fold in the presence of 2 and 4 microM TFP following treatment for 12 hr. Cellular accumulation of [3H]VLB in P388/DOX cells was 12-fold lower than in similarly treated P388/S cells and, in the presence of 2 and 4 microM TFP, cellular VLB levels were enhanced 1.3- to 2.0-fold in P388/S cells and 2- to 8-fold in P388/DOX cells. The effect of TFP in increasing cellular retention of [3H]VLB was more apparent with P388/DOX cells, and retention of [3H]VLB in the presence of 4 microM TFP was enhanced less than 1.5-fold and greater than 4-fold in P388/S and P388/DOX cells respectively. Results from this study and our earlier observations with DOX and TFP in P388/DOX cells demonstrate that: (1) TFP potentiates the cytotoxicity of VLB and VCR in P388/S and P388/DOX cells by augmenting drug accumulation and retention; (2) enhanced cell kill in the presence of TFP with P388/DOX cells is apparent at 1 hr for DOX vs 12 hr for VLB and VCR; and (3) in P388/S cells, TFP has a more striking effect on the cellular accumulation, retention and cytotoxicity of VLB and VCR rather than DOX.
Decadal variations of global energy and ocean heat budget and meridional energy transports inferred from recent global data sets

[1] We use the most recent global, decades-long data sets, consisting of two satellite-derived top-of-atmosphere (TOA) and surface radiative flux data sets from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project Flux product (ISCCP-FD) and the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment Surface Radiation Budget project (GEWEX-SRB), three ocean surface turbulent flux data sets from Goddard Satellite-based Surface Turbulent Fluxes (GSSTF), Hamburg Ocean Atmosphere Parameters and Fluxes from Satellite data (HOAPS) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Objectively Analyzed air-sea Fluxes (WHOI) and one ocean heat content (or energy storage rate) data set from Willis et al. to investigate what can be learned about how decadal-scale variations of the global energy budget at TOA are partitioned between the atmosphere and ocean and their mean meridional heat transports. Although the mean differences among the TOA radiative flux data sets are large enough that direct measurements of planetary energy imbalances are still unreliable, comparison of the interannual anomalies of the ocean heat content with the two (satellite-derived) planetary energy imbalances converted to accumulated ocean heat content (or equivalently comparison of the anomalies of ocean heat content converted to ocean heat storage rate with the planetary energy imbalances) show excellent quantitative agreement. These data sets essentially show a heating of the upper ocean since the 1990s but different “trends” at the beginning of this century that need further investigation. The comparison of interannual anomalies of total ocean surface energy fluxes converted to accumulated ocean heat content do not show such good agreement, the former generally indicating a cooling over the past decade. The fact that the anomalies in surface net radiative heating are slightly too large suggests that the latent heat flux anomalies are also too large (causing an overall cooling). The interannual anomalies of the mean meridional heat transport by the atmosphere-ocean system inferred from the two TOA radiative flux data sets all show similar patterns of weakened poleward transport associated with El Nino events. Each event is different in character. The most interesting difference suggested by the latitudinal patterns is that some heat transport anomalies appear in the atmosphere and some in the ocean, but the current quality of the surface turbulent energy flux data sets precludes confirmation. Although not completely successful, we believe that this analysis indicates that these products are somewhat better than might have been expected and that the goal of further work should now be to reduce their uncertainties enough to diagnose the variations of the coupling of the atmosphere and ocean heat exchanges and transports over decadal timescales.
Managing Vessel-Based Killer Whale Watching: A Critical Assessment of the Evolution From Voluntary Guidelines to Regulations in the Salish Sea

Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs) are a genetically isolated population of fish-eating killer whales (Orcinus orca) frequenting the international waters of the Salish Sea between the United S...
On the purported synthesis of a bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene diester by reaction of diazomethane with dimethyl 1,3-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dicarboxylate

Abstract Addition of diazomethane to dimethyl 1,3-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dicarboxylate, followed by thermolysis at 140°C, had been reported to yield a bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene diester. This report is not correct. The products are now shown to be a diene diester, a cyclopropane and an exo -methylene diester.
SU‐E‐T‐22: Improving Physicistsˈ Workflow with Electronic Logbooks

Purpose: We present an electronic logbook, an efficient tool for tracking physicists' work on treatment equipment in the clinic. Web accessible electronic logbooks have replaced their paper equivalents in many physics laboratories, particularly in high‐energy physics, as a more reliable means of tracking progress on projects involving a large number of people. In the radiation oncology environment there are several machines that need constant monitoring and frequent maintenance, and several physicists and engineers ensuring these tasks are successfully accomplished. Although paper records of such events are traditionally kept, these have several disadvantages: they are at risk of being misplaced, are only accessible in one place, can be cumbersome to search through, and all too often contain illegible handwriting. Methods: An electronic log, “elog”, (written by Stefan Ritt and released under the GNU Public license), was configured for the radiation oncology environment with the aim of improving physicists' workflow and as a result, increasing patient safety. Entries are made on a webpage, submitted to a database, and assigned a URL that is linked from the logbook homepage. Entries may include formatted or plain text, tables, images, and attachments. Examples of use include machine maintenance records, discussion of machine‐specific issues, and routine quality assurance results. Results: This free software is very user‐friendly; a prototype electronic log was successfully configured for the UCSF clinic in a matter of days, and a demonstration of its use was made. The elog is currently being implemented for use in the CyberKnife suite and to track issues with treatment planning computers. Conclusions: The elog has the potential to improve workflow, encourage accountability, increase accessibility of information, and promote discussion of treatment machine specific issues. This may result in a safer and more effective patient experience.
USING DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS (DEA) TO EVALUATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND JUSTICE: A DIFFERENT WAY OF LOOKING AT THE SAME OLD NUMBERS

Abstract The study introduces a new method for assessing differences in levels of environmental quality between neighborhoods via application of the management science evaluation procedure data envelopment analysis (DEA). DEA that has the capacity to evaluate activities and process situations where more than one outcome is simultaneously involved is employed here to estimate the relative differences in environmental quality which majority versus minority populations may face between communities within a community. A relative assessment procedure, DEA illustrates in the study how to assess whether minority populations relative to majority populations within the same larger community face different levels of environmental quality that cannot be explained by differences in education, income, or other non-race based characteristics. The article points out the danger of simply inspecting one environmental quality factor at a time. Such a single factor evaluation can as the study illustrates generate misleading...
Assessing the vascular effects of early erythropoietin use in pediatric renal transplant recipients.

Assessing the vascular effects of early erythropoietin use in pediatric renal transplant recipients
Measurements of superequilibrium hydroxyl concentrations in turbulent nonpremixed flames using staturated fluorescence

The first quantitative, time- and space-resolved measurements have been obtained for probability density functions of OH concentration in nonpremixed flames. Measurements using single-pulse, laser-saturated fluorescence in laminar, transitional, and turbulent nonpremixed H2-air flames provide unambiguous evidence for substantial OH superequilibrium concentrations, in qualitative agreement with predictions of laminar and turbulent combustion models. The average degree of superequilibrium, OH/OH(AE), is typically 4-5 near the jet exit and approaches unity far downstream. The maximum instantaneous OH concentration measured in transitional and turbulent H2-air flames is about 6 x 10 to the 16th molecules/cc, in accord with the maximum determined by partial equilibrium thermodynamic calculations and with the maximum OH concentrations measured in premixed H2-air flames.