cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hemozoin-free Plasmodium falciparum mitochondria for physiological and drug susceptibility studies.

Abstract Isolation of mitochondria of high purity and with intact enzymatic activities from malaria parasites has proven to be a major obstacle in characterizing the parasite mitochondrial physiology. We describe here an improved procedure for the isolation of a mitochondrially enriched preparation from the trophozoite stage of erythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum , combining disruption by N 2 cavitation and differential centrifugation with magnetic removal of hemozoin-associated material. These mitochondrial preparations may be used to assay various mitochondrial enzyme activities, such as succinate and dihydroorotate dehydrogenases, ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase, and cytochrome c oxidase. They also exhibit a low level of ATPase activity, which is only marginally inhibited by classical inhibitors. We have used this preparation to determine the susceptibility of mitochondrial activities to drugs and drug candidate compounds in both “wild type” and transgenic parasites.
IRIDIUM debris protection and mitigation techiques

The IRIDIUM Program represents the most exciting prospect in space operations in the world today. It represents one of the best commercial opportunities as well as one of the biggest engineering challenges ever. This paper describes the trend-setting approach Motorola has taken in 'designing in' orbital debris mitigation features while keeping associated costs virtually negligible. It delineates the attributes of a comprehensive program instituted during the design phase, maintained through the development phase, and which will be continued through the operations phase. The challenges are being met head-on and Motorola is aggressively seizing the opportunity to set new standards in debris protection mitigation techniques.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The role of preparedness in ambulance dispatching

Response time in the emergency medical service is an important performance measure and ambulance dispatching is one of the most important factors affecting the response time. The most commonly used dispatching rule is to send the closest available unit to the call site. However, though dispatching the closest unit enables the service to achieve the minimal response time for the current call, the response times for the next incoming calls may increase if the area where the closest ambulance is currently located has a high call rate, that is the area becomes ill-prepared. A dispatching algorithm based on the preparedness concept was recently proposed. Rather than greedily minimizing each current response time, the dispatching algorithm takes account of future calls by a quantitative definition of preparedness. This study investigates the role of preparedness by examining the performance of the preparedness-based dispatching algorithm as well as by evolving the algorithm in several ways in order to magnify the effectiveness of preparedness consideration. As a result of these efforts, it is found that the consideration of preparedness in ambulance dispatching can provide significant benefits in reducing response time but only when appropriately used.
Surfactant Metabolism during Hyperventilation of Newborn Lambs with Atrial Right to Left Shunts

Surfactant Metabolism during Hyperventilation of Newborn Lambs with Atrial Right to Left Shunts
Oculomotor related interaction of vestibular and visual stimulation in vestibular nucleus cells in alert monkey.

Abstract The activity of single cells in the vestibular nuclei in alert, behaving monkey was studied by extracellular recording. A majority of the neurons found in the superior and the rostral medial vestibular nuclei can be divided into two classes on the basis of their discharge relationship to eye movements evoked during head rotation, visual target pursuit, or visual suppression of the vestibulo-ocular reflex. The firing rate of the first unit type is proportional to head rotational velocity (and the resulting compensatory eye velocity) but is not modulated during slow eye movements of pure visual origin. During visual suppression of the vestibulo-ocular reflex, the relationship of this type of unit discharge to head velocity remains unchanged, although the eye velocity is now zero. The second type of unit more closely resembles oculomotor neurons in that its discharge pattern is proportional to eye position and velocity during eye movements of both visual and vestibular origin. However during suppression of the vestibuloocular reflex this type of unit continues to show a greatly reduced but consistent modulation of discharge rate proportional to head velocity. Thus the direct projection of vestibular neurons to oculomotor neurons cannot by itself account for the ability of the monkey to completely suppress its vestibulo-ocular reflex.
Influence of relative humidity on particle size and UV sensitivity of Serratia marcescens and Mycobacterium bovis BCG aerosols.

Abstract Setting: A study of Serratia marcescens and BCG aerosols. Objective: To evaluate the effect of relative humidity (RH) on (1) the particle size and (2) sensitivity of 254nm germicidal ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Methods: We built a RH controlled experimental chamber into which bacteria were aerosolized, exposed to varying amounts of UV irradiance over measured time periods, and quantitatively evaluated for viability. Aerosolized Serratia marcescens and bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) were subject to UV doses ranging from 57–829 μW · sec/cm2, and sampled with a six-stage Andersen culture plate impactor at RHs ranging from 25–95%. Results: Percent survival for both organisms was inversely related to UV dose. Serratia marcescens was more susceptible to UV than BCG under all conditions. More than 95% of the bacterial aerosol particles were 1.1–4.7 μm in aerodynamic diameter, and particles sizes increased from low (25–36%) to high (85–95%) RH. The count median diameter ranged from 1.9–2.6 μm for Serratia marcescens and from 2.2–2.7 μm for BCG as RH increased. For both Serratia marcescens and BCG, resistance to UV increased as RH increased. The UV resistance of both Serratia marcescens and BCG aerosols dramatically increased at RH higher than 85%. Conclusions: Our results indicate that differences in UV dose, kinds of microorganisms, airborne particle size and RH affect UV susceptibility.
Minimum fractional dominating functions and maximum fractional packing functions

The fractional analogues of domination and 2-packing in a graph form an interesting pair of dual linear programmes in that the feasible solutions for both are functions from the vertices of the graph to the unit interval; efficient (fractional) domination is accomplished when one function simultaneously solves both LPs. We investigate some structural properties of the functions thus defined and classify some families of graphs according to how and whether the sets of functions intersect, developing tools that have proven useful in approaching problems in domination theory.
The clinical effectiveness of phosphate-enriched breakfast cereals on the incidence of dental caries in children: results after 2 years.

For the first time in any adult clinical study, fortification of the diet produced a reduction in human dental caries. Sodium dihydrogen phosphate was added to ready-to-eat breakfast cereals.
Metallic Clusters and Color Changes in Silver-Exchanged Zeolites: 109Ag Solid State NMR and Optical Studies

We have applied 109Ag solid-state NMR and optical methods to probe dynamics and local environment of silver cations in a series of silver-exchanged zeolites as a function of hydration. In dehydrated samples of Ag−Rho, a Knight shift produced by the conduction electrons of metallic silver particles with cluster size above 400 A is observed. Temperature dependent color change upon dehydration in zeolites Ag−X and Ag−A is also present. Although the color change in both zeolites is optically similar, NMR spectra demonstrate that fundamentally different effects lead to the color change. The color change in Ag−X zeolite is accompanied by stronger interaction of silver cations with the zeolite substrate that causes a paramagnetic contribution to the Ag shift as dehydration occurs. In Ag−A zeolite the loss of coordinated water dominates the dynamics of silver cations and leads to a more shielded Ag NMR signal upon dehydration.
Hippocampal and cortical function in a maze devoid of left and right turns

Abstract Rats previously trained on a three-cul ladder maze sustained bilateral hippocampal or cortical lesions and were subsequently tested for retention. Those groups showing defective retention suffered damage to either the dorsal hippocampus, occipital cortex, parietal cortex, or cingulate cortex. Excellent retention was observed in other groups following enucleation of the eyes or injuries to either the frontal cortex or olfactory bulbs. It is concluded that the hippocampus and the occipito-parieto-cingulate regions of the cerebral surface play a significant role in spatial tasks irrespective of horizontally or vertically oriented alternative pathways.
Estradiol decreases the orexigenic effect of NPY, but not AgRP, in ovariectomized rats.

Available data suggest that estradiol exerts its inhibitory effect on food intake by modulating the actions of multiple anorexigenic and orexigenic gut- and brain-derived peptides. For example, recent studies have shown that estradiol decreases the orexigenic effect of ghrelin and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) in ovariectomized and cycling female rats. In the present study, we examined estradiol's ability to decrease the strength of two additional orexigenic peptides, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related protein (AgRP). Food intake and meal patterns were monitored following lateral ventricular (icv) infusions of 5 μg NPY, 10 μg AgRP, or saline vehicle in ovariectomized rats who received a physiological regimen of either 1 μg estradiol or sesame oil vehicle treatment. NPY increased light-phase food intake for 2 h in both oil- and estradiol-treated rats. During this interval, the orexigenic effect of NPY was, however, greater in oil-treated rats, relative to estradiol-treated rats (2.7 ± 0.4 g vs. 1.4 ± 0.4 g, respectively, P
Nuclear data sheets for A = 51

Abstract Level schemes and decay characteristics are presented for all nuclei with mass number A = 51. Experimental data, adopted values, comparisons with theory, and arguments for spin and parity assignments are given. Inconsistencies and discrepancies in the level schemes are discussed. The adopted level and decay properties are based on data received before November 1969. Data received between November 1969 and January 1970 have been ‘Added in Proof.’
Matching As An Econometric Evaluation Estimator: Evidence from Evaluating a Job Training Programme

This paper considers whether it is possible to devise a nonexperimental procedure for evaluating a prototypical job training programme. Using rich nonexperimental data, we examine the performance of a two-stage evaluation methodology that (a) estimates the probability that a person participates in a programme and (b) uses the estimated probability in extensions of the classical method of matching. We decompose the conventional measure of programme evaluation bias into several components and find that bias due to selection on unobservables, commonly called selection bias in econometrics, is empirically less important than other components, although it is still a sizeable fraction of the estimated programme impact. Matching methods applied to comparison groups located in the same labour markets as participants and administered the same questionnaire eliminate much of the bias as conventionally measured, but the remaining bias is a considerable fraction of experimentally-determined programme impact estimates. We test and reject the identifying assumptions that justify the classical method of matching. We present a nonparametric conditional difference-in-differences extension of the method of matching that is consistent with the classical index-sufficient sample selection model and is not rejected by our tests of identifying assumptions. This estimator is effective in eliminating bias, especially when it is due to temporally-invariant omitted variables.
SU-FF-T-303: Ion Loss Measurements for a Large-Volume Free-Air Ionization Chamber

Purpose: To extend the capabilities of large‐volume ionization chambers to higher‐fluence sources by thoroughly evaluating ion loss in preparation for Electronic Brachytherapy air‐kerma strength measurements.Method and Materials: Electronic Brachytherapy was recently approved by the FDA as a low‐energy photon‐emitting source for the treatment of breast tumorcavities after lumpectomy surgery. The dosimetry for these types of treatments is based on well‐established AAPM TG 43 protocols for low‐energy photon‐emitting brachytherapy sources. This task group recommends that source strength for low‐energy brachytherapy sources be measured with a large‐volume free‐air ionization chamber to determine the air‐kerma rate absolutely. Until now, using such a chamber for Electronic Brachytherapy sources has not been possible because of the higher x‐ray energies of Electronic Brachytherapy sources (up to 50 keV) as well as their significantly greater exposure rates. There is convincing evidence that the air‐kerma strength of Electronic Brachytherapy sources may be measured with the Variable‐Aperture Free‐Air Chamber (VAFAC). To this end, a systematic investigation of the mechanisms of ion loss has been completed by varying exposure rates, plate separations, and high‐voltage biases. Results:Measurements of ion‐loss agreed with empirical predictions to within 0.2% using the VAFAC for low‐energy photon‐emitting brachytherapy sources with strengths up to 5000 U, more than 50 times higher than the upper limit of the current U.S. national standard (100 U), and within the estimated source strength of new Electronic Brachytherapy sources. Measurements of two coefficients for conventional ion‐loss equations are Γ o 2 =5.40×10 13 V 2 A −1 m −1 and E 1 =6.0 Vm −1 , which are within the range of values published in the literature. Conclusion: The VAFAC's measurement capabilities have been extended to higher‐fluence sources (up to 5000 U) in preparation for air‐kerma strength measurements of Electronic Brachytherapy sources. Measurements of empirical coefficients are within the range of values listed in the literature.
Hagedorn versus Hawking-Page transition in string theory

We study the supergravity dual to the confinement or deconfinement phase transition for the $\mathcal{N}=4$ $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ super Yang-Mills theory on $R\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathrm{S}}^{3}$ with a chemical potential conjugate to a $\mathrm{U}(1)\ensuremath{\subset}\mathrm{SO}{(6)}_{R}$ charge. The appropriate supergravity system is a single-charge black hole in $D=5$ $\mathcal{N}=8$ gauged supergravity. The application of the gauge-string theory holographic renormalization approach leads to new expressions for the black hole Arnowitt-Deser-Misner mass and its generalized free energy. We comment on the relation of this phase transition to the Hagedorn transition for strings in the maximally supersymmetric plane wave background with null Ramond-Ramond five-form field strength.
Legislative Goals and Information Use

This study examines the use of analytical information by major House committees. The committees are differentiated according to Fenno's classification of members' legislative goals-reelection, making good public policy, or influence in the House. The study demonstrates that policy committees are more likely to use analytical information than the other committee types. This suggests that legislators' goal orientations are an important determinant of information use.
Effects of unilateral and bilateral training in a reaching task on dendritic branching of neurons in the rat motor-sensory forelimb cortex

Effects of motor training on a neocortical nerve cell population involved in performance of the motor task were assessed by measuring Layer V pyramidal neuron apical dendritic branching in motor-sensory forelimb cortex of rats trained to reach into a tube for food. Rats were trained to reach with the forepaw they preferred to use (group PRAC), the nonpreferred forepaw (REV), both forepaws (ALT), or neither forepaw (CONT). Across groups, hemispheres opposite trained forepaws had larger apical dendritic fields, in terms of total dendritic length, number of oblique branches from the apical shaft, and length of terminal branches. Similar, although somewhat less consistent, effects were seen when results were analyzed for between- (CONT vs ALT) and within-subject comparisons (trained vs nontrained hemispheres of REV and PRAC). This finding is compatible with the hypothesis that altered dendritic patterns, with associated synapses, are involved in storage of information from the training experience. The within-subject effects mitigate suggestions that these differences arise from generally acting hormonal or metabolic consequences of the training experience, although the possibility that these effects result from neural activity per se and are unrelated to information storage cannot be excluded.
Non-independence of Mnt repressor–operator interaction determined by a new quantitative multiple fluorescence relative affinity (QuMFRA) assay

Salmonella bacteriophage repressor Mnt belongs to the ribbon-helix-helix class of transcription factors. Previous SELEX results suggested that interactions of Mnt with positions 16 and 17 of the operator DNA are not independent. Using a newly developed high-throughput quantitative multiple fluorescence relative affinity (QuMFRA) assay, we directly quantified the relative equilibrium binding constants (K(ref)) of Mnt to operators carrying all the possible dinucleotide combinations at these two positions. Results show that Mnt prefers binding to C, instead of wild-type A, at position 16 when wild-type C at position 17 is changed to other bases. The measured K(ref) values of double mutants were also higher than the values predicted from single mutants, demonstrating the non-independence of these two positions. The ability to produce a large number of quantitative binding data simultaneously and the potential to scale up makes QuMFRA a valuable tool for the large-scale study of macromolecular interaction.
Sorption-desorption of carbamazepine from irrigated soils.

Th anti-seizure medication carbamazepine is often found in treated sewage effluent and environmental samples. Carbamazepine has been shown to be very persistent in sewage treatment, as well as ground water. Due to environmental persistence, irrigation with sewage effluent could result in carbamazepine contamination of surface and ground water. To determine the potential for leaching of carbamazepine, a series of adsorption and desorption batch equilibrium experiments were conducted on irrigated soils. It was found that carbamazepine adsorption to biosolid-amended (T) soils had a K D of 19.8 vs. 12.6 for unamended soil. Based on adsorption, carbamazepine leaching potential would be categorized as low. During desorption significant hysteresis was observed and K D increased for both soils. Desorption isotherms also indicate a potential for irreversibly bound carbamazepine in the T soil. Results indicate that initial removal of carbamazepine via adsorption from irrigation water is significant and that desorption characteristics would further limit the mobility of carbamazepine through the soil profile indicating that carbamazepine found in sewage effluent used for irrigation has a low leaching potential.
Measurement of mechanical mobility of human incisors with sinusoidal forces

Abstract Patterns of mechanical mobility of maxillary and mandibular incisors were measured in seven humans in exceptionally good periodontal health. Data are used to develop mechanical equivalent circuits consisting of masses, dampers and springs. The mechanical components are presumed to have anatomical analogs, and an initial attempt at matching mechanical components to anatomical elements is made.
Comparison of a few shape memory alloy constitutive models

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are an important material in the fabrication of many smart devices. In response to the need to understand and predict the behavior of SMAs there have been much work performed in developing constitutive models to describe and predict the complex behavior of these materials. This work examines differences in computational simulations of a SMA device due to the choice of SMA constitutive model. The device considered is a hollow SMA tube subjected to torsion loading. The device is designed for use in the DARPA sponsored Smart Wing program lead by Northrop-Grumman. The device is designed to warp the wing frame in order to produce wing twist. Applied moment vs. angle of twist per cm are the parameters of interest for the device. Calculated results are compared with each other. The basis of the computational study are experiments previously completed by Keefe et al. Constitutive modeling approaches considered include pure austenite, pure martensite and constitutive models proposed by Tanaka, Liang-Roger and Lagoudas et al.
Postoperative wound infections detected during hsopitalization and after discharge in a community hospital

Postoperative wound infections were evaluated in 1271 patients who had 1389 surgical procedures. There were 49 postoperative wound infections identified, of which 26 (53%) were discovered after discharge. Wound infections varied from 2.5% for clean wounds up to 13.3% for dirty wounds. Among the specialties, the infection rate ranged from no infection for otolaryngologists and urologists to 8.6% for general surgeons. With routine hospital surveillance, the overall infection rate was 1.8% or 2.2%, including readmissions for infection, but less than the actual rate of 3.8%. Persons who had three procedures had no infection rate of 27.3%; for two procedures, 8.1%; and for one procedure, 3.2%. Most postoperative wound infections detected after discharge were based on clinical grounds and not positive cultures. Rehospitalization was required for seven patients because of infection. This study demonstrates that postoperative wound infection surveillance must be continued after discharge.
Fundamentals of dental lasers: science and instruments

This article provides the reader with an understanding of the essential physical science of a laser device. Various dental tissues have unique interactions with laser light, and the principles of safe and effective use of this unique instrument are presented. Each wavelength's applications for treatment are outlined.
Social norms, fertility and economic development ☆

Abstract This paper presents an overlapping generations model with endogenous fertility and human capital accumulation. Within such a framework, it shows how the presence of family-size norms can lead to multiple equilibria. It can thus potentially explain different development patterns without recourse to increasing returns and differences in initial conditions. Furthermore, it derives sufficient conditions under which different equilibria can be Pareto ranked. Finally, it shows that the main results hold also in the case where there exists parental altruism.
Acoustic birefringence of polymer solutions II—Necklace model

Abstract The necklace model of randomly coiled macromolecule with ideally elastic links but a finite resistance to the rate of shape change (internal viscosity) was used for the calculation of frequency dependence of acoustic birefringence and the phase shift between the latter and the displacement field of acoustic wave. The calculation was performed for a model with 100 links. In contrast with the results for the perfectly soft dumb-bell model, the initial birefringence is much smaller, has a shorter linear range but a much longer transition to saturation, and a limiting value which decreases with increasing internal viscosity. The phase shift is first rather similar to that of the dumb-bell model. Approaching 45° it shows an inflection which grows larger with larger number of segments and smaller internal viscosity. The transition from 0° to 90° extends over a much wider frequency range (between two and three decades more) than for the dumb-bell. A comparison with experimental data on polystyrene solutions indicates that a smaller number of segments (about 40 instead of 100) may give a satisfactory fit.
Emotional Reactions to a Seemingly Prejudiced Response: The Role of Automatically Activated Racial Attitudes and Motivation to Control Prejudiced Reactions

This study examined emotional reactions to a televised public service ad regarding racial prejudice. The ad induces viewers to draw a seemingly prejudicial inference about an African American man. Emotional reactions to the ad varied as a function of automatically activated racial attitudes and the two factors of the Motivation to Control Prejudiced Reactions Scale, all of which were assessed 3 months prior to exposure to the ad. More positive racial attitudes were associated with feelings of guilt in response to the ad. Individuals with higher scores on the concern with Acting Prejudiced factor of the motivation scale reported both greater guilt and greater agitation, whereas those with higher scores on the Restraint to Avoid Dispute factor experienced agitation but not guilt. The implications of the findings for prejudice reduction efforts and the effectiveness of the public service ad as a social influence strategy are discussed.
Analysis of a surface hopping expansion that includes hops in classically forbidden regions

A surface hopping expansion of the nonadiabatic wave function is generalized to account for hops from the forbidden region on one adiabatic energy surface to a different adiabatic surface in multidimensional problems. This analysis is motivated by previous surface hopping calculations on one dimensional models that provide very accurate transition probabilities, even at low energies, if classically forbidden hops are included in the calculations. It is shown that hops from the classically forbidden region in the previous form of the surface hopping expansion cannot, in general, lead to classically allowed final state trajectories in multidimensional problems. The surface hopping wave function is generalized to allow for two or more hops at each point along the trajectory. These hops correspond to different directions for the energy conserving momentum change, which gives different post-hop trajectories. This generalization allows for the final state trajectory to be classically allowed if the post-hop adiabatic energy surface has sufficiently low energy.
Population‐level scaling of avian migration speed with body size and migration distance for powered fliers

Optimal migration theory suggests specific scaling relationships between body size and migration speed for individual birds based on the minimization of time, energy, and risk. Here we test if the quantitative predictions originating from this theory can be detected when migration decisions are integrated across individuals. We estimated population-level migration trajectories and daily migration speeds for the combined period 2007-2011 using the eBird data set. We considered 102 North American bird species that use flapping or powered flight during migration. Many species, especially in eastern North America, had looped migration trajectories that traced a clockwise path with an eastward shift during autumn migration. Population-level migration speeds decelerated rapidly going into the breeding season, and accelerated more slowly during the transition to autumn migration. In accordance with time minimization predictions, spring migration speeds were faster than autumn migration speeds. In agreement with optimality predictions, migration speeds of powered flyers scaled negatively with body mass similarly during spring and autumn migration. Powered fliers with longer migration journeys also had faster migration speeds, a relationship that was more pronounced during spring migration. Our findings indicate that powered fliers employed a migration strategy that, when examined at the population level, was in compliance with optimality predictions. These results suggest that the integration of migration decisions across individuals does result in population-level patterns that agree with theoretical expectations developed at the individual level, indicating a role for optimal migration theory in describing the mechanisms underlying broadscale patterns of avian migration for species that use powered flight.
Certified pharmacy technicians' views on their medication preparation errors and educational needs.

Purpose. The perceptions of certified pharmacy technicians about their medication preparation errors and educational needs were studied. Methods. A nationwide random sample of 3200 certified pharmacy technicians was mailed a survey with open-ended questions soliciting information about how pharmacists have handled and should handle technicians’ medication preparation errors. The participants were also asked about their training needs and continuing-education preferences. Results. A total of 1004 responses (31.4%) were obtained, of which 835 were analyzed. Of the respondents, 44% reported working in chain community pharmacies and 27% in hospital pharmacies. The factors perceived to contribute most to technicians’ medication preparation errors were interruptions and inadequate staffing. Pharmacists’ most frequent response to an error was to make the technician aware of it and require him or her to correct it. Only about 17% of the respondents indicated that the pharmacist used the error as an opportunity to provide instruction on how to avoid future errors. Conclusion. A nationwide sample of certified pharmacy technicians ranked interruptions and inadequate staffing as the factors contributing most to their medication preparation errors.
A simple, flexible estimator for count and other ordered discrete data

SUMMARY This paper examines a flexible way to model empirically discrete data outcomes using ‘hazard rate’ decompositions. It presents a general data-generating mechanism based on potential outcomes to describe why the approach should work for almost any discrete distribution. Monte Carlo evidence indicates that these models estimate well the impacts of covariates on expected counts when the data follow a Poisson distribution. With data from more complex processes, these estimators continue to perform well. Since most economic count outcomes arise from occurrence-dependent behavioral processes, using flexibly estimated distributions should reduce the dependence of results on convenient but invalid assumptions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sampling Bias and Class Imbalance in Maximum-likelihood Logistic Regression

Logistic regression is a widely used statistical method to relate a binary response variable to a set of explanatory variables and maximum likelihood is the most commonly used method for parameter estimation. A maximum-likelihood logistic regression (MLLR) model predicts the probability of the event from binary data defining the event. Currently, MLLR models are used in a myriad of fields including geosciences, natural hazard evaluation, medical diagnosis, homeland security, finance, and many others. In such applications, the empirical sample data often exhibit class imbalance, where one class is represented by a large number of events while the other is represented by only a few. In addition, the data also exhibit sampling bias, which occurs when there is a difference between the class distribution in the sample compared to the actual class distribution in the population. Previous studies have evaluated how class imbalance and sampling bias affect the predictive capability of asymptotic classification algorithms such as MLLR, yet no definitive conclusions have been reached.
Diffuse hemorrhagic gastroenteropathy: Report of a new entity

An apparently novel entity, diffuse hemorrhagic gastroenteropathy (DHG), in a 70-year-old female who had an unremitting course of chronic gastrointestinal blood loss for 3 years requiring transfusion of more than 200 units of packed red blood cells over this period is reported here. Endoscopy showed diffusely hemorrhagic mucosa in the stomach, duodenum, and small bowel. Full-thickness biopsy of the stomach and small intestine revealed luminal narrowing of capillaries and post-capillary venules within the lamina propria due to swelling and some proliferation of the endothelial cells with margination and emigration by neutrophils as well as partial occlusion of some vessels by fibrin thrombi. DHG may represent a new entity characterized by mucosal hemorrhage due to local mucosal ischemia of the gastrointestinal tract secondary to a small vessel "vasculopathy" apparently restricted to this site.
When “More doctors smoked Camels” Cigarette advertising in the journal

Even well into the twentieth century, cigarette smoking hadn't caught on among most men―and definitely not among women. But through mass media advertising and overseas tobacco funds for the boys at war, cigarettes became firmly entrenched by the 1920s. The tobacco companies were the first to offer women equal rights, of a sort, with slogans such as “I'm a Lucky girl,” “Blow some my way,” and “Do you inhale? Everybody’s doing it!” Readers of the Sunday funnies were told by ballplayers like Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio, "They don’t get your wind ... So mild, athletes smoke as many as they please!" To respond to those nagging, fuddyduddy health doubters, various salutary claims and endorsements by doctors of certain brands began to appear. By the 1930s cigarette advertisements had made their way into medical journals, including the New York State Journal of Medicine.
Vascular medicine and phlebology: where do we intersect?

As we begin the new year, the societies representing vascular medicine and phlebology embrace new opportunities while facing the existing challenges of growth and recognition. This issue of Vascular Medicine is devoted solely to venous disease, a core area of vascular medicine training. As the field of phlebology also relates to venous disease, the question arises, what is the relationship between vascular medicine and phlebology and are vascular medicine specialists also phlebologists? If you search a most trusted source (and yes I say this with sarcasm), Wikipedia, for the definitions of vascular medicine and phlebology you will find that vascular medicine, aka angiology, is the “medical specialty which studies the diseases of the circulatory system and of the lymphatic system, i.e., arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels, and its vessels” while a phlebologist is a “medical specialist in the diagnosis of disorders of venous origin.” 1,2 If you agree with these categorizations, it would seem that vascular medicine specialists indeed are also phlebologists. However, some might argue that the depth and knowledge of the phlebologist surpasses vascular medicine core training in venous disease. With this background, let’s take a closer look at key areas that may help distinguish vascular medicine from phlebology. First, who are practicing vascular medicine specialists? In general, these include physicians (MD or DO) who have completed internal medicine training and have sought additional formal fellowship training or practice-based experience in vascular medicine and are eligible to sit for the American Board of Vascular Medicine certifying examination. 3 This group includes a substantial membership of cardiology trained specialists including interventional cardiologists. In contrast, providers practicing phlebology come from numerous specialties and training pathways including general and vascular surgery, family medicine, internal medicine, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, interventional radiology, cardiology and of course, vascular medicine. Most have practice-based training in venous diseases or training through vascular surgery, and can choose to certify through the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine (ABVLM), formerly known as the American Board of Phlebology. 4
Structure of the ∑=3 (111) Grain Boundary in Cu-1.5%Sb

Grain boundaries in quenched and aged Cu-1.5%Sb were examined with Auger electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and high resolution electron microscopy. The Σ=3 grain boundaries are strongly faceted, with the facets lying primarily along the coincident (111) planes of the two grains. The grain boundaries are enriched in antimony, as demonstrated by both AES and HREM. HREM images of the Σ=3 (111)ǁ(111) grain boundary differ from those of the Cu-Bi Σ=3 (111)ǁ(111) grain boundary in the lack of a significant grain boundary expansion to accommodate the excess solute at the boundary. A preliminary investigation of the atomic structure of the Σ=3 (111)ǁ(111) facet by HREM and multislice calculations is presented.
Review: Trier on von Trier by Stig Björkman, ed. London: Faber and Faber, 2003

Reviewing a book consisting of a series of interviews is fraught with the problem that the digressive nature of such a book's exigency precludes the summarily extraction of any coherent thesis. Sti...
Learning Experience of Linear Endobronchial Ultrasound Among Pulmonary Trainees

Background Linear endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) allows real-time guidance of transbronchial needle aspiration of thoracic structures and has become an increasingly important diagnostic tool for chest physicians. Little has been published about the learning experience of operators with this technology. The purpose of this study was to define the learning experience of EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) among pulmonary trainees. Methods This was a multicenter cohort study of fellows in pulmonary medicine over the first 2 years of their training. Prior to performing EBUS-TBNA, all participants had to complete 30 conventional bronchoscopies, an EBUS-specific didactic curriculum, and a simulation session with a plastic airway model. Each consecutive EBUS procedure was scored with a checklist that evaluated the ability to pass a bronchoscope through vocal cords, identify the appropriate node for sampling, acquire adequate ultrasound images, guide the bronchoscopy team through the technical steps of EBUS-TBNA, and obtain adequate tissue samples. Results Thirteen pulmonary trainees from three training programs were enrolled in the study and were observed over a 2-year period. The majority of trainees were able to perform all essential steps of EBUS-TBNA and obtain adequate tissue after performing an average of 13 (95% CI, 7-16) procedures. Conclusions Pulmonary trainees needed an average of 13 procedures to achieve first independent successful performance of EBUS-TBNA following a training protocol that included a didactic curriculum and simulation-based practice. Our findings could guide pulmonary fellowship directors in planning EBUS training and establishing a reasonable juncture to assess EBUS skills with validated assessment tools.
Sea urchin vault structure, composition, and differential localization during development

Background Vaults are intriguing ribonucleoprotein assemblies with an unknown function that are conserved among higher eukaryotes. The Pacific coast sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, is an invertebrate model organism that is evolutionarily closer to humans than Drosophila and C. elegans, neither of which possesses vaults. Here we compare the structures of sea urchin and mammalian vaults and analyze the subcellular distribution of vaults during sea urchin embryogenesis.
Development, Verification, and Validation of the Responsive Boundary Model for Pool Fire Simulations

To more accurately simulate large transportation pool fires, the Responsive Boundary model is developed to predict the behavior of the liquid pool and provide a more realistic fuel inlet boundary condition for the fire simulation. The boundary data come in the form of fuel velocities from the pool surface to the fire domain. The transient, one-dimensional model applies the conservation of mass and energy to the liquid pool, and it accounts for the shrinking level of the evaporating pool. As heat input to the pool primarily determines mass flux from the pool surface, the model incorporates both radiative and convective heat transfer. Once the model is developed, verification techniques show that the code solves the continuum conservation equations with acceptable error. The boundary model is then combined with a fire code (ARCHES). Simulations of moderately sized heptane and methanol pool fires are the subject of verification and validation tests for the combined model. Grid convergence tests verify the spatial resolution needed for minimal discretization error. A technique called data collaboration quantifies the level of agreement between simulated data and experimental data for the 30 cm heptane pool fire.
Descending auditory pathways in the adult male zebra finch (Taeniopygia Guttata)

Here, we examine the connectivity of two previously identified telencephalic stations of the auditory system of adult zebra finches, the neostriatal “shelf” that underlies the high vocal center (HVC) and the archistriatal “cup” adjacent to the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA). We used different kinds of neuroanatomical tracers to visualize the projections from the shelf to the HVC. In addition, we show that the shelf projects to the cup and that the cup projects to thalamic, midbrain, and pontine nuclei of the ascending auditory pathway. Our observations extend to songbirds anatomical features that are found in the auditory pathways of a nonoscine bird, the pigeon (Wild et al. [1993] J. Comp. Neurol. 337:32–62), and we suggest that the descending auditory projections found in mammals may also be a general property of the avian brain. Finally, we show that the oscine song control system is closely apposed to auditory pathways at many levels. Our observations may help in understanding the evolution and organization of networks for vocal communication and vocal learning in songbirds. J. Comp. Neurol. 395:137–160, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Polarimetric Detection of Targets in Heavy Inhomogeneous Clutter

Polarization diversity has proved to be a useful tool for radar detection, especially when discrimination by Doppler effect is not possible. In this paper, we address the problem of improving the performance of polarimetric detectors for targets in heavy inhomogeneous clutter. First, we introduce a new polarimetric radar model that includes the realistic dependence of the clutter reflections on the transmitted signal. Then, we develop a polarimetric detection test that is robust to inhomogeneous clutter. We run this polarimetric test against synthetic and real data to assess its performance in comparison with existing polarimetric detectors. Finally, we propose a polarimetric waveform-design algorithm to further improve the target-detection performance. A numerical analysis is presented to demonstrate the potential performance improvement that can be achieved with this algorithm.
Transient PKA Activity Is Required for Initiation But Not Maintenance of BDNF-Mediated Protection from Nitric Oxide-Induced Growth-Cone Collapse

Growing axons during development are guided to their targets by the activity of their growth cones. Growth cones integrate positive and negative guidance cues in deciding the direction in which to extend. We demonstrated previously that treatment of embryonic retinal ganglion cells with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protects their growth cones from collapse induced by nitric oxide (NO). BDNF stabilizes growth-cone actin filaments against NO-induced depolymerization. In the present study, we examined the signaling mechanism involved in BDNF-mediated protection. We found that BDNF causes transient activation of protein kinase A (PKA) during the first 5 min of treatment. Treatment with PKA inhibitors before or in conjunction with BDNF treatment blocked the protective effects of BDNF. The effects of BDNF, however, were not blocked when addition of PKA inhibitors was delayed as little as 15 min after BDNF treatment. When cultures raised overnight in BDNF were treated with PKA inhibitors, BDNF-mediated protection did not end, demonstrating that the maintenance of the protective effects of BDNF is independent of PKA activity. The BDNF-induced activation of PKA was required for BDNF-mediated stabilization of growth-cone actin filaments against depolymerization by cytochalasin D. Finally, the initiation and maintenance of the protective effects of BDNF required protein synthesis. Collectively, these data demonstrate that PKA signaling is required only for an early phase of BDNF-mediated protection from NO-induced growth-cone collapse.
A Convenient Synthesis of Furanose-Free D-Fucose Per-O-Acetates and a Precursor for Anthrose

Methyl 3,4-O-isopropylidene-α- or β-D-galactopyranoside was iodinated with triiodoimidazole in the presence of triphenylphosphane and the corresponding 6-deoxy-6-iodo derivatives 5 or 6, respectively, were converted to furanose-free 1,2,3,4-tetra-O-acetyl-α,β-D-fucopyranose. A key intermediate for chemical synthesis of anthrose, a constituent of the tetrasaccharide of major glycoprotein of Bacillus anthracis exosporium, 1-O-acetyl-4-azido-2-O-benzoyl-3-O-benzyl-4,6-dideoxy-α,β-D-glucopyranose, was synthesized from 5 or 6 in 7 steps. The latter was readily converted into the corresponding 1-O-trichloroacetimidate.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Caregiver Stress and Outcomes of Children with Pediatric Feeding Disorders Treated in an Intensive Interdisciplinary Program

Objective This study investigated the impact of an intensive interdisciplinary feeding program on caregiver stress and child outcomes of children with feeding disorders across three categories. Methods Children were categorized into either tube dependent, liquid dependent, or food selective groups. Outcomes for caregiver stress levels, child mealtime behaviors, weight, and calories were examined at admission and discharge for 121 children. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to examine differences pre- and posttreatment and across feeding categories. Results Caregiver stress, child mealtime behaviors, weight, and caloric intake improved significantly following treatment in the intensive feeding program, regardless of category placement. Conclusions Few studies have examined the impact of an intensive interdisciplinary approach on caregiver stress, as well as on child outcome variables with such a diverse population. This study provides support that regardless of a child’s medical and feeding history, an intensive interdisciplinary approach significantly improves caregiver stress and child outcomes.
The Origin and Evolution of Nineteenth-Century Asset Accounting *

The methods used to account for business assets in Britain and the United States during the nineteenth century are here examined in a context of interplay between “internal economic criteria” and “external constraints.”
A Tale of Two Cultures: Charity, Problem Solving, and the Future of Social Entrepreneurship

Two cultures are at play in the field of social entrepreneurship: an age-old culture of charity, and a more contemporary culture of entrepreneurial problem solving. These cultures permeate activities from resource providers to front line operations. Both have roots in our psychological responses to the needs of others and are reinforced by social norms. They can work hand-in-hand or they can be at odds. Some of the icons of the social entrepreneurship movement have spoken harshly about charity, yet most of them rely to some degree, at least early in their development process, on resources that are given out of a charitable impulse. The success of social entrepreneurship requires an integration of values from each of these cultures, in which the satisfactions of giving are correlated with social benefits of rigorous problem solving.