cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Domain adaptation and sample bias correction theory and algorithm for regression

We present a series of new theoretical, algorithmic, and empirical results for domain adaptation and sample bias correction in regression. We prove that the discrepancy is a distance for the squared loss when the hypothesis set is the reproducing kernel Hilbert space induced by a universal kernel such as the Gaussian kernel. We give new pointwise loss guarantees based on the discrepancy of the empirical source and target distributions for the general class of kernel-based regularization algorithms. These bounds have a simpler form than previous results and hold for a broader class of convex loss functions not necessarily differentiable, including L"q losses and the hinge loss. We also give finer bounds based on the discrepancy and a weighted feature discrepancy parameter. We extend the discrepancy minimization adaptation algorithm to the more significant case where kernels are used and show that the problem can be cast as an SDP similar to the one in the feature space. We also show that techniques from smooth optimization can be used to derive an efficient algorithm for solving such SDPs even for very high-dimensional feature spaces and large samples. We have implemented this algorithm and report the results of experiments both with artificial and real-world data sets demonstrating its benefits both for general scenario of adaptation and the more specific scenario of sample bias correction. Our results show that it can scale to large data sets of tens of thousands or more points and demonstrate its performance improvement benefits.
Determining navigability of terrain using point cloud data

This paper presents an algorithm to identify features of the navigation surface in front of a wheeled robot. Recent advances in mobile robotics have brought about the development of smart wheelchairs to assist disabled people, allowing them to be more independent. These robots have a human occupant and operate in real environments where they must be able to detect hazards like holes, stairs, or obstacles. Furthermore, to ensure safe navigation, wheelchairs often need to locate and navigate on ramps. The algorithm is implemented on data from a Kinect and can effectively identify these features, increasing occupant safety and allowing for a smoother ride.
Pharmacologic therapies after myocardial infarction

Despite the availability and use of effective methods for limiting infarct size with thrombolytic agents and primary angioplasty, patients experiencing a myocardial infarction (MI) are at increased risk for a second cardiac event in the post-MI period (e.g., reinfarction, heart failure, and sudden death). For this reason, postinfarction risk management is crucial. An extensive data base has firmly established the efficacy of beta blockers in reducing cardiovascular risk following acute MI. The full advantages of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have only recently begun to emerge as the result of a growing understanding of the mechanisms of adverse outcomes following MI. The importance of lipid-lowering agents, in particular the "statins," should be considered in all post-MI patients, especially since recent studies have conclusively shown improved survival and reduced rates of MI and coronary artery bypass surgery in this population with this therapy. Aspirin is now considered a standard part of the early management of the acute infarct patient as well as for secondary prevention in post-MI patients. At present, chronic anticoagulation with warfarin should be reserved for selected patients. The nondihydropyridine calcium antagonists diltiazem and verapamil can be considered for post-MI use only in patients in whom beta blockers are contraindicated and who have preserved systolic function and/or those without clinical heart failure. In contrast, the dihydropyridine calcium antagonists, particularly nifedipine, have no role in secondary prevention. Although long-term benefits are minimal, nitrates continue to be useful in post-MI patients with residual ischemia (angina or silent ischemia), heart failure (systolic or diastolic), or postinfarction hypertension. Antiarrhythmic agents, except amiodarone, are relatively contraindicated in post-MI patients. Recent data show that vitamin E reduces the rate of nonfatal MI. Its role in cardiovascular death and overall mortality remains to be clarified. Despite their demonstrated value, agents used in secondary prevention generally appear to be underutilized. In addition, when pharmacologic therapies are administered for secondary prevention, they are often prescribed at lower doses than those tested and proved in trials. A greater appreciation for the efficacy and safety profiles of these agents could lead to more widespread use and more pronounced reductions in morbidity and mortality among post-MI patients.
Honor Among (the Beneficiaries of) Thieves

Traditional accounts of the fair play principle suggest that, under appropriate conditions, those who benefit from the cooperative labor of others acquire an obligation of repayment. However, these accounts have had little to say about the nature of such obligations within morally or legally problematic cooperative schemes, taking the matter to be either straightforward or unimportant. It is neither. The question of what sorts of fair play obligations obtain for those who benefit from illicit cooperative activity is a matter of great complexity and consequence with implications for, inter alia, global economic justice. In this essay, I explore the nature of this obligation within illicit cooperative schemes, specifically those with so-called negative externalities, or deleterious effects on non-members of the scheme. I conclude that the willing beneficiaries of such schemes acquire a fair-play obligation to recognize and respond to their culpability. This reconceptualization of the fair play principle opens up new avenues for exploring the obligations of those who benefit from acts of collective wrongdoing.
THE DIFFERENTIAL ROLES OF AFFECT AND AVOIDANCE IN MAJOR DEPRESSIVE AND BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER SYMPTOMS

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are both significant mental health conditions that impact millions of individuals and have deleterious effects. There is a high rate of co-morbidity between these two disorders; in particular individuals with BPD report high levels of MDD symptoms. Identification of shared and specific vulnerabilities, both in terms of trait and emotion regulation variables, is an important step in explaining this overlap and developing interventions that address symptoms common or specific to these disorders. Dimensions of affect (i.e., negative affect, positive affect, affect intensity), avoidant emotion regulation (i.e., experiential avoidance, thought suppression, expressive suppression, nonacceptance), and symptoms of MDD and BPD were assessed in an unselected college sample. Results indicated that negative affect was related to both MDD and BPD symptoms whereas positive affect was only related to MDD symptoms and affect intensity was only rela...
Use of high-frequency seismic waves for the detection of buried landmines

Over the past three years a system has been under development at Georgia Tech that utilizes a seismic interrogation signal in combination with a non-surface- contacting, radar-based displacement sensor for the detection of buried landmines. Initial work on this system investigated the workability of the system concept. Pragmatic issues regarding the refinement of the current experimental laboratory system into a system which is suitable for field testing and, in turn, one which would be suited to field operations have been largely ignored until recently. Both field operations and realistic field testing require a system that is different from the original laboratory system in two crucial ways. One of these is that a field system needs a sensor standoff from the ground surface larger than the original 1 to 2 cm. This is necessary in order to account for small-scale topography, to avoid ground cover such as grass, and to minimize the risk to the operator. A second difference is that the scanning speed of a field system must be substantially greater than that of the original laboratory system, which takes several hours to image 1 m 2 of ground surface. From an operational standpoint, the reason for this is obvious. From an experimental standpoint, it is also important because ambient conditions are difficult to control on long time scales outdoors. Both of these new requirements must be met within the design parameters that were established empirically during the development of the laboratory system.
Electron impact emission cross sections needed in modeling UV observations of the upper atmospheres of the planets

In recognition of the need for accurate collision cross-sections suitable for modeling spectroscopic observations of the planetary systems and calibrate flight instruments, NASA-JPL has determined the laboratory emission cross-sections of H, H2, N2, SO2, etc. Resonance excitation, predissociation, and non-Franck-Condon band intensity systems are determined by configuration interaction and must be taken into account in analyses of spacecraft observations. Attention is given to the application of the cross-sectional data obtained to both electron energy loss codes and models of Voyager, IUE, Galileo, and HST observations of the solar system.
The development of Bergmann glia in mutant mice with cerebellar malformations: reeler, staggerer and weaver. Immunofluorescence study with antibodies to the glial fibrillary acidic protein.

The development of Bergmann glia has been studied by immunofluorescence with glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein antiserum in three mouse mutants with cerebellar malformations: reeler, staggerer and weaver. In none of these mutants was astrocytic differentiation delayed. The appearance of Bergmann glia in four-day-old reeler, staggerer and weaver mice was normal. Abnormalities of the neuroglial framework in the cerebellar cortex were observed later in development. In reeler mice immunofluorescent astrocytic fibers formed a mesh throughout the cerebellum. Radially oriented fibers were not observed. In staggerer mice Bergmann fibers shorter and more irregular than in littermate controls were still observed on the 14th day. Bergmann fibers were no more demonstrated by immunofluorescence in staggerer mice sacrificed later in development and little immunofluorescence was observed anywhere in the cerebellum of these animals. Heterozygous weaver and normal littermates were easily recognized in cryostat sections stained with toluidine blue, but the immunofluorescent pattern of Bergmann fibers was identical throughout development. Bergmann fibers were present and apparently not decreased in number in homozygous weaver mice but they had an immature appearance, i.e., they were shorter, less straight and less evenly spaced than in normal littermates of comparable age. In one-month-old homozygous weaver mice a dense mesh of immunofluorescent fibers with the general orientation of Bergmann fibers was present within the molecular layer of the cerebellum.
Fe-based Fischer Tropsch Synthesis of biomass-derived syngas: Effect of synthesis method

Abstract Two 100Fe/4Cu/4K/6Zn catalysts were prepared using two different methods: coprecipitation or impregnation methods. The effect of the preparation methods on the catalyst structure, catalytic properties, and the conversion of biomass-derived syngas via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis was investigated. Syngas was derived from gasifying Southern pine woodchips and had the composition of 3.1% CH4, 11% CO2, 17% H2, 22% CO, and 47% N2. The results show that the coprecipitated Zn-promoted catalyst had higher extent of reduction and carburization, which led to higher carbon conversion and C5 + selectivity of this CO2-rich syngas than the impregnated catalyst.
Ability-Based Design: Concept, Principles and Examples

Current approaches to accessible computing share a common goal of making technology accessible to users with disabilities. Perhaps because of this goal, they may also share a tendency to centralize disability rather than ability. We present a refinement to these approaches called ability-based design that consists of focusing on ability throughout the design process in an effort to create systems that leverage the full range of human potential. Just as user-centered design shifted the focus of interactive system design from systems to users, ability-based design attempts to shift the focus of accessible design from disability to ability. Although prior approaches to accessible computing may consider users’ abilities to some extent, ability-based design makes ability its central focus. We offer seven ability-based design principles and describe the projects that inspired their formulation. We also present a research agenda for ability-based design.
A cost-minimization analysis comparing azithromycin-based and levofloxacin-based protocols for the treatment of patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia: results from the CAP-IN trial.

Background: A randomized trial was performed comparing azithromycin and levofloxacin for treating moderately to severely ill patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia. This is a cost-minimization analysis comparing those regimens. Methods: The cost-minimization analysis compares 81 patients receiving sequential therapy with IV azithromycin plus IV ceftriaxone followed by oral azithromycin with 82 patients receiving IV levofloxacin followed by oral levofloxacin, all with complete economic data over approximately 30 days, including information about hospitalization, study medications, home care, postdischarge utilization, and lost productivity. Units of utilization were multiplied by unit prices in order to estimate cost per patient. These total costs were compared using a two-sample t test. Results: Direct medical costs of the azithromycin group were $2,481 less than the corresponding costs in the levofloxacin group (p = 0.03; 95% confidence interval, $238 to $4,724). Most of the cost difference ($2,300) is attributable to hospital days, with the majority of these days being spent on the general medicine wards. The precise magnitude of the cost advantage attributable to azithromycin, if any, depends on both the reduction in length of hospital stay and its associated daily cost. Conclusions: Azithromycin was no more costly than levofloxacin, and perhaps less so. Cost is but one of many factors that should be considered by clinicians in decisions involving any individual patient.
Atomic distributions across metal-III-V-compound-semiconductor interfaces.

The distribution of atomic species across metal--III-V-compound-semiconductor interfaces has been studied with ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{+}$-ion bombardment and x-ray photoemission complemented by synchrotron radiation photoemission. Results for (Ti, Cr, Co, Au)/GaAs, (Co, Cr)/InP, and (Cr, Au)/InSb show that room-temperature metal deposition induces substrate disruption. The details of reactions at these interfaces then play a critical role in determining the distribution of semiconductor atoms in the overlayers. Strong metal-anion reactions cause the expulsion of cations from regions where there is compound formation, and there is a characteristic coverage at which this occurs. The result is a cation-deficient region near the buried interface. Weak metal-anion reactions cause no such long-range species redistribution, except for surface segregation. For Au--III-V interfaces, there is an onset for anion surface segregation as a nearly pure Au layer decorated by semiconductor atoms in supersaturation evolves from the Au-anion-cation mixture found at low coverage. The driving force for atomic redistribution is the lowering in energy of the system, but this is restricted by kinetics and diffusion at low temperature. Studies for Cr/GaAs show the effect of altering the temperature and, hence, the amount of diffusion.
Effect of streptomycin on the response of Escherichia coli ribosomes to the dissociation factor

Abstract Ribosomes recovered from cells of Escherichia coli treated with streptomycin are impaired in their response to the dissociation factor. This effect of Str evidently depends on a direct action on the ribosome and not on stabilization of a complex with normal ligands. Thus, such Str-ribosomes lack firmly bound transfer RNA; treatment with puromycin does not remove the resistance to dissociation; and similar resistance is produced when free ribosomes (in the absence of normal ligands) are exposed to Str in buffer and then washed. The impairment of dissociation of Str-ribosomes in cells is evidently incomplete, for these ribosomes maintain a reduced polysome level by engaging in cyclic abortive reinitiation (see preceding paper, Wallace & Davis, 1973) and this process requires formylation (and hence presumably dissociation). Str-inhibited dissociation may be the limiting step in this reinitiation, for the polysome level is much lower in Str-treated cells of strain W than in those of K12, and Str impairs dissociation much more with ribosomes of the former strain.
Transboundary pollution: Persistent organochlorine pesticides in migrant birds of the Southwestern United States and Mexico

The hypothesis that migratory birds accumulate persistent organochlorine pesticides (POPs) during the winter in Latin America has been prevalent for many years, particularly since 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2–bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) was banned in the United States in 1972. It has been suggested that peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), black-crowned night herons (Nycticorax nycticorax), white-faced ibises (Plegadis chihi), various migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, and other avian species accumulate higher concentrations of POPs while on migration or on their wintering grounds in Latin America. Nonetheless, the data obtained thus far are limited, and there is no clear pattern to suggest that such accumulation occurs on a widespread basis. In this review wildlife contaminant studies conducted along the U.S.-Mexico border and throughout Mexico are discussed. The results for the most part seem to indicate that no major accumulation of 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene) (DDE), the most persistent organochlorine compound, has occurred or been reported for most parts of Mexico. The majority of the DDE values in birds from Mexico were similar to those reported in birds from the southwestern United States during the same years. More work needs to be done, particularly in those cotton-producing areas of Mexico where DDT was applied heavily in the past (e.g., Chiapas and Michoacan). Because DDT is still used for malaria control and may still be used in agriculture in Chiapas, this state is probably the one where most migrant species would still be at a significant risk of increased accumulation of DDE and DDT.
Exploding quark-gluon plasma and correlation between energy density and mean transverse momentum

Abstract We argue that the energy per unit entropy and the initial energy density are related to the mean transverse momentum and to the rapidity density. A phenomenological analysis of cosmic ray data and p p collisions supports the conjecture that matter produced in such collisions undergoes a phase transition from a quark-gluon plasma to a hadron gas. Numerical hydrodynamical calculations which allow for both longitudinal and transverse expansion and which incorporate a first order phase transition are presented.
Oil Production and Groundwater Quality in the Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer, Texas

Chloride concentrations and chloride/bromide ratios from 198 water wells in the Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer were compiled, mapped, and evaluated within the context of regional geology and land use. The study area occupies eight counties in west-central Texas, within which oil production and agriculture are predominant land uses. Samples from 49 wells had chloride concentrations above the 250 mg/l secondary drinking water standard, 22 samples had greater than 500 mg/l chloride, and 9 samples exceeded 1000 mg/l chloride. Of the 22 samples above 500 mg/l chloride, 10 had relatively low chloride/bromide ratios of less than 300, consistent with oilfield brine, and 2 had ratios above 2000, consistent with groundwater impacted by evaporite dissolution. The remaining ten samples had chloride/bromide ratios ranging from 300 to 2000, consistent with partial mixing of unimpaired groundwater with evaporite-laden water. There were no significant correlations between chloride concentration and well depth, inconsistent with contaminants originating at the land surface. Results of this study suggest that evaporite dissolution and oilfield brine locally impact the Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer, but the problem is not regionally pervasive.
SWELLING AND CA2+-ACTIVATED ANION CONDUCTANCES IN C127 EPITHELIAL CELLS EXPRESSING WT AND DELTA F508-CFTR

CFTR is a chloride channel that is required for fluid secretion and salt absorption in many exocrine epithelia. Mutations in CFTR cause cystic fibrosis. CFTR expression influences some ion channels, but the range of channels influenced, the mechanism of the interaction and the significance for cystic fibrosis are not known. Possible interactions between CFTR and other ion channels were studied in C127 mouse mammary epithelial cell lines stably transfected with CFTR, ΔF508-CFTR, or vector. Cell lines were compared quantitatively using an 125I efflux assay and qualitatively using whole-cell patch-clamp recording. As expected, 125I efflux was significantly increased by forskolin only in the CFTR line, and forskolin-stimulated whole-cell currents were time- and voltage independent. All three lines responded to hypotonic challenge with large 125I efflux responses of equivalent magnitude, and whole-cell currents were outwardly rectified and inactivated at positive voltages. Unexpectedly, basal 125I efflux was significantly smaller in the ΔF508-CFTR cell line than in either the CFTR or control cell lines (P < 0.0001), and the magnitude of the efflux response to ionomycin was largest in the vector cell line and smallest in the cell line expressing ΔF508-CFTR (P < 0.01). Whole-cell responses to ionomycin had a linear instantaneous I-V relation and activated at depolarizing voltages. Forskolin responses showed simple summation with responses to ionomycin or hypotonic challenge. Thus, we found no evidence for interactions between CFTR and the channels responsible for swelling-mediated responses. Differences were found in basal and ionomycin-stimulated efflux, but these may arise from variations in the clonally selected cell lines that are unrelated to CFTR expression.
Comparison of Meritec-Strep with Streptex for direct colony grouping of beta-hemolytic streptococci from primary isolation and subculture plates.

Meritec-Strep (Meridian Diagnostics, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio) a coagglutination method, was compared with Streptex (Wellcome Diagnostics, Research Triangle Park, N.C.), a latex agglutination method, for the identification of beta-hemolytic streptococcal groups A, B, C, F, and G by the direct colony method. A total of 124 beta-hemolytic streptococcal isolates were tested, which included 77 from group A, 15 from group B, 10 from group C, 1 from group F, and 21 from group G. All were tested from subculture, and 74 (60%) were also tested from primary isolation plates. For Meritec-Strep, usually one colony was directly applied to the reaction card for testing each grouping reagent, while for Streptex, five colonies were tested after a 1-h extraction process. Complete agreement was obtained for all isolates tested from subculture with the kits. From primary isolation plates, Meritec-Strep correctly identified 97.3% of the isolates compared with 94.6% correctly identified for Streptex. Meritec-Strep produced a false-negative for one group A isolate and positive reactions for group A and F reagents with another group A isolate. A diphtheroid contaminant caused the positive group F reaction. Streptex produced false-negative results for one group A and three group C isolates. Most positive reactions were strong and rapid (less than 30 s) for both kits. The negative test control provided in the individual group A and B kits was nonreactive for all isolates. Meritec-Strep accurately identified isolated colonies of beta-hemolytic streptococci on primary isolation and subculture plates. It provided faster results than Streptex by eliminating the time and manipulation of antigen extraction and needed fewer colonies when individual group A or B reagents were used.
A SUMOry of DNA Replication: Synthesis, Damage, and Repair

Recombination at stalled replication forks is regulated at an early stage by sumoylation. In this issue of Cell, Branzei et al. (2006) show that the Ubc9/SUMO modification pathway controls the accumulation of cruciform structures at stalled forks.
Coupling diffusion and maximum entropy models to estimate thermal inertia

Abstract Thermal inertia is a physical property of soil at the land surface related to water content. We developed a method for estimating soil thermal inertia using two daily measurements of surface temperature, to capture the diurnal range, and diurnal time series of net radiation and specific humidity. The method solves for soil thermal inertia assuming homogeneous 1-D diffusion of heat near the land surface. The solution uses a boundary condition taken as the maximum likelihood estimate of ground heat flux made by a probabilistic uncertainty model of the partitioning of net radiation based on the theory of maximum entropy production (MEP model). We showed that by coupling the 1-D diffusion and MEP models of energy transfer at the land surface, the number of free parameters in the MEP model can be reduced from two (P — soil thermal inertia and I — thermal inertia of convective heat transfer to the atmosphere) to one (P is defined by I). A sensitivity analysis suggested that, for the purpose of estimating thermal inertia, the coupled model should be parameterized by the ratio P/I. The coupled model was demonstrated at two semi-arid sites in the southwest United States to estimate thermal inertia and these thermal inertia values were used to estimate soil moisture. We found 1) parameterizing the MEP model with a constant annual P/I value resulted in surface flux estimates which were similar to those made when daily P and I parameters were derived directly from measurements of ground heat flux (Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency > 0.95); 2) estimates of P made using the coupled model were superior to those made using the diffusion model with a common linear approximation of the ground heat flux boundary condition; and 3) thermal inertia was a better predictor of soil moisture in moderately wet conditions than in dry conditions due to a lack of sensitivity of thermal inertia to changes in soil moisture at low moisture contents.
Skeletal Morphology of Palaeocastor peninsulatus (Rodentia, Castoridae) from the Fort Logan Formation of Montana (early Arikareean): Ontogenetic and Paleoecological Interpretations

Palaeocastorine beavers were diverse members of the burrowing fauna of the Oligocene of North America best known from the Great Plains and the Great Basin. Palaeocastorines are also found in the northern Rocky Mountains. Several specimens of Capacikala, Euhapsis, and Palaeocastor have been reported from Montana within the Cabbage Patch beds fauna. New occurrences of palaeocastorine beavers from the Fort Logan Formation of central Montana show that the fauna there included Palaeocastor fossor, Capacikala sp., Palaeocastor sp., and three specimens of a species previously known only from the John Day Formation of Oregon: Palaeocastor peninsulatus. The three specimens include crania and associated postcrania forming an ontogenetic series from a juvenile to a mature adult. Careful examination of these specimens shows that morphological changes throughout ontogeny are associated with increased burrowing ability in adults. Palaeocastor peninsulatus is a scratch-digger with few cranial adaptations to burrowing susceptible to change with maturity. Dental characters, however, are modified with wear and vary greatly across individuals of similar wear stage. Cranial morphology thus appears to be a reliable source of taxonomic information in palaeocastorines unlike dental material. These new specimens provide evidence for increased chisel-tooth digging in adults compared to juveniles as is observed throughout the evolution of palaeocastorines. This study demonstrates the need for future work focusing on intraspecific variation to help better define species boundaries among palaeocastorines and improve phylogenetic analyses.
Preferences for expressing preferences: People prefer finer evaluative distinctions for liked than disliked objects

Abstract Past research showed that people draw finer categorical distinctions for liked than disliked objects, such that a wine lover, for example, sees greater detail and nuance among types of wine than does a non-lover. In the present research, a similar pattern was found in evaluative categorization (i.e., distinguishing between “somewhat liked” vs. “liked” vs. “greatly liked” etc.). Across 5 experiments, respondents used finer evaluative distinctions (operationalized as more versus fewer response options in a rating scale) when conveying attitudes about liked versus disliked items. This effect extended to the level of mental representation and was moderated by need for cognition, indicating the key role of elaboration (people elaborate more on liked vs. disliked objects). These findings imply the potential usefulness of unbalanced rating scales (i.e., containing more scale points on the positive than negative side) so that respondents may better express the nuances of their attitudes.
Unembedded, aldehyde-fixed tissue, sectioned for transmission electron microscopy.

It has been demonstrated that it is feasible within limits to section a wide variety of unembedded, glutaraldehyde-fixed tissues thinly enough for transmission electron microscopy. Much cytological detail is preserved. The success of the method is thought to depend mainly upon glutaraldehyde adequately cross-linking cytosol proteins so that cellular components are not only held in place, but the tissue is sectionable after it is air dried. A polyvinyl-acetate emulsion in the form of carpenter's white glue is used as an external support for tissue blocks. If necessary, this can be rendered insoluble by the addition of a small quantity of serum albumin, subsequently cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. Glass knives are advisable for sectioning, and sections are floated on a layer of water reaching the knife edge with a minimal meniscus. Since alkaline lead stains have proven to be quite destructive to unembedded tissue, and other positive stains have not been found that are particularly effective, partially neutralized phosphotungstic acid, used as a negative stain, is the principal staining technique employed. Because it is thought that the technique ultimately may prove to be most useful for immunocytochemical applications, emphasis has been placed upon studies of tissues fixed only with glutaraldehyde. If tissue is secondarily fixed with osmium tetroxide and/or treated with uranyl salts, however, tissue blocks then have superior sectioning properties, and can be more effectively and positively stained.
Specific postoperative syndromes after total and selective vagotomies in the rat.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats which survived bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (with hepatic branch intact) exhibited an acute syndrome of hypophagia, hypodipsia and severe loss of body weight when maintained on solid food and water for 14 days after vagotomy. This post vagotomy syndrome was attenuated when rats were maintained on a liquid diet (116EC) chosen to minimize postvagotomy dysphagia and abnormal gastric retention of food; vagotomized rats were hypophagic and lost body weight, but the degree of weight loss was not so severe as for vagotomized rats eating solid food. When rats with total subdiaphragramatic vagotomy were maintained on palatable sweet milk food, the acute postvagotomy syndrome was abolished; these vagotomized rats ate and drank as much as rats with sham vagotomy and they did not lose weight. When rats that underwent selective hepatic, gastric or coeliac vagotomy were maintained on the sweet milk diet, three different postoperative syndromes occurred: after selective hepatic vagotomy, rats were hyperphagic, hyperdipsic and gained body weight at a greater than normal rate; after selective gastric vagotomy, rats lost weight despite relatively normal food and water intakes; and after selective coeliac vagotomy, there was no change in food or water intakes or body weight. These results demonstrate that a sweet milk diet abolishes the anorexia, hypodipsia and weight loss that usually occur in vagotomized rats maintained on pellets and water. Use of this sweet milk diet revealed different acute syndromes after bilateral and selective vagotomies. The differences among the syndromes suggest that hepatic, gastric and coeliac vagal branches serve different functions in the control of food and water intake and body weight.
Selective reductions. Part 60: Chemoselective reduction of organyl azides with dichloroborane–dimethyl sulfide

The rate and stoichiometry of the reduction of an organyl azide with BH3·THF was examined under standardized conditions at room temperature. Borane derivatives, such as dialkyl-, alkoxy-, and haloboranes were also examined for the reduction of azides. This study revealed BHCl2·SMe2 to be the most suitable reagent for the reduction of azides. The chemoselectivity of this reagent was also studied by reducing n-hexyl azide in the presence of representative series of functional groups, including esters, halides, nitriles, and nitro groups. BHCl2·SMe2 reduces azides in the presence of all of the above functional groups as well as olefins. Taking advantage of the differences in reactivity of BHCl2·SMe2 and BH3·THF or BH3·SMe2, it is now possible to reduce selectively an azide in the presence of olefins or to hydroborate an olefin in the presence of azides by a judicious choice of the reagent. q 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Comparison of NDE Results and Correlation With Microstructural Characteristics of NiFeAl/Wf

Metal matrix composites (MMC) and intermetallic matrix composites (IMC) are materials of complex structure. Nominally defect-free, as-manufactured MMC requires nondestructive evaluation (NDE) for quality assurance and process monitoring purposes. In this work, three NDE techniques — ultrasonics, eddy current, and X-ray radiography — were applied to un-damaged NiFeAI/Wf coupons. Images of the coupons were obtained using the three techniques. The NDE results were compared among themselves, and correlations were sought between these results and microstructural features of the specimen. Consistencies were found among the NDE results and a strong correlation was found between the spatial variation of fiber density and the NDE signals.Copyright © 1994 by ASME
Radar Observations of Bird Migration over the Western North Atlantic Ocean

1. During two fall migration seasons, a large number of flying targets were tracked by a radar mounted on an oceanographic research vessel. Obervations were made in September and October in a region extending from the New England coast to the area south and east of Bermuda (Figs. 1 and 3). Accurate local wind measurements were made at short intervals during the observations. 2. Evidence was obtained that many of the targets were birds engaging in migration between coastal North America and the neotropics. Such birds often appeared in discrete ‘waves’ associated with cold fronts passing the North American coast. Distant from land, long periods occurred between ‘waves’ when no targets were observed. 3. Other targets, which were probably also migrating birds, flew in directions which were difficult to explain, or flew at speeds relative to the air which were lower than seem consistent with the energetic requirements of long-range flight. Extrapolations of the possible flight paths of such birds (Figs. 8–10) suggested that birds, even some of those flying at the higher speeds, may take several days in attempting to cross the Western North Atlantic. 4. Birds appeared to fly at higher altitudes during the day than at night, perhaps to allow temperature regulation without evaporative water loss. 5. The results are discussed in relation to previous laboratory measurements of caloric expenditures and flight speeds of birds in wind tunnels, possible use of structure in the atmosphere by small migrants, and the selection pressures which might play a role in the phenomenon of long migrations over water.
Consensual Rules in Interpersonal Communication: A Reply to Cushman and Whiting.

Cushman and Whiting's analysis of rules represents an important movement from monadic to dyadic concepts in explaining patterns of communication behavior. However, several criticisms of their article are warranted. First, implications of such an orientation for research are inadequately discussed. Second, sociolinguistics is an unmentioned discipline also studying rules. Third, Cushman and Whiting's concept of communication behavior is too limited. Drawing from semiotics and “behavior exchange,” rules regulating costs and rewards accruing to the communicators from the relationship are shown to be an important part in communication. A search for rules involving meaning will be confounded by concurrent operation of rules involving hedonic outcomes. Fourth, complex patterns of interpersonal communication require the concept of hierarchially ordered contracts, consisting of a few fundamental rules, several sets of rules governing interaction in specific situations, and switching cues used to move from one subset to another. Simply identifying rules is not adequate to describe or explain communication in contracts.
Structural Requirements for Additional N-Linked Carbohydrate on Recombinant Human Erythropoietin

N-Linked glycosylation is a post-translational event whereby carbohydrates are added to secreted proteins at the consensus sequence Asn-Xaa-Ser/Thr, where Xaa is any amino acid except proline. Some consensus sequences in secreted proteins are not glycosylated, indicating that consensus sequences are necessary but not sufficient for glycosylation. In order to understand the structural rules for N-linked glycosylation, we introduced N-linked consensus sequences by site-directed mutagenesis into the polypeptide chain of the recombinant human erythropoietin molecule. Some regions of the polypeptide chain supported N-linked glycosylation more effectively than others. N-Linked glycosylation was inhibited by an adjacent proline suggesting that sequence context of a consensus sequence could affect glycosylation. One N-linked consensus sequence (Asn123-Thr125) introduced into a position close to the existing O-glycosylation site (Ser126) had an additional O-linked carbohydrate chain and not an additional N-linked carbohydrate chain suggesting that structural requirements in this region favored O-glycosylation over N-glycosylation. The presence of a consensus sequence on the protein surface of the folded molecule did not appear to be a prerequisite for oligosaccharide addition. However, it was noted that recombinant human erythropoietin analogs that were hyperglycosylated at sites that were normally buried had altered protein structures. This suggests that carbohydrate addition precedes polypeptide folding.
Rebellious Nuns: The Troubled History of a Mexican Convent, 1752–1863 – By Margaret Chowning

In the Spring of 1761, just before resigning as abbess of the Convent of La Purisima Concepcion of San Miguel el Grande, Maria Antonia del Santisimo Sacramento related that “this convent is transfo...
Range-Wide Genetic Analysis of the Threatened Bluetail Mole Skink Identifies Similar Genetic Structure with Sympatric Lizards

Abstract The threatened Bluetail Mole Skink (Plestiodon egregius lividus) is limited to the xeric habitats of the southern Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida. To generate important data for conserving this species, we characterized genetic variation at the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene and seven microsatellite loci among multiple populations. We compared the Bluetail Mole Skink's pattern of genetic diversity and differentiation to those of two other lizards with similar geographic and habitat distributions—the Florida Sand Skink (Plestiodon reynoldsi) and the Florida Scrub Lizard (Sceloporus woodi). The Bluetail Mole Skink was highly variable at the genetic markers, and significant genetic differentiation occurred among scrub patches. Patches can be divided into central and southern Lake Wales Ridge groups. Our results also suggest that each sampled habitat patch should be treated as a population and reintroductions should minimize the distance between recipient and source locations to limit altering t...
Theoretical validation of ground-based microwave ozone observations

Abstract. Ground-based microwave measurements of the diurnal and seasonal variations of ozoneat 42±4.5 and 55±8 km are validated by comparing with results from a zero-dimensional photochemical model and a two-dimensional (2D) chemical/radiative/dynamical model, respectively. O3 diurnal amplitudes measured in Bordeaux are shown to be in agreement with theory to within 5%. For the seasonal analysis of O3 variation, at 42±4.5 km, the 2D model underestimates the yearly averaged ozone concentration compared with the measurements. A double maximum oscillation (~3.5%) is measured in Bordeaux with an extended maximum in September and a maximum in February, whilst the 2D model predicts only a single large maximum (17%) in August and a pronounced minimum in January. Evidence suggests that dynamical transport causes the winter O3 maximum by propagation of planetary waves, phenomena which are not explicitly reproduced by the 2D model. At 55±8 km, the modeled yearly averaged O3 concentration is in very good agreement with the measured yearly average. A strong annual oscillation is both measured and modeled with differences in the amplitude shown to be exclusively linked to temperature fields.
HIV/AIDS stigma: an impediment to public health.

Stigma is not new to public health, nor is it unique to HIV/AIDS. History provides an unfortunate abundance of examples of “prejudice, discounting, discrediting, and discrimination”1 directed toward persons who are ill or perceived to be ill. Leprosy was viewed as divine punishment for moral misconduct in centuries past, and persons infected with Mycobacterium leprae were forcibly excluded from both civil and religious society.2 Those who became ill with cholera in the early years of our American republic were publicly decried as intemperate, lazy, and vice ridden.3 Even after the germ theory became widely accepted, discrediting divine wrath, miasma, and other incorrect theories of disease, negative attitudes lingered. For example, some persons with syphilis were “innocent”; others were not. Often, physicians were reluctant to treat patients in the latter category, considering them immoral and hence unworthy of care.4
Application of broadband radar to volumetric sensing and distance measurement

States that broadband radar is a relatively recent technology which is finding many new applications such as sensing the position and movement of objects in and around vehicles, fluid level measurement in storage tanks, and detecting intruders. Its advantages over competing technologies (ultrasonics, optical and conventional radar) include: low cost implementation; very low power consumed and radiated; accurate position information; unobtrusive, i.e. radar can be mounted within a sealed plastic enclosure; tolerant of dust, spray and other contaminants. Describes the application of broadband radar to consumer, automotive and industrial sensing, and illustrates how a sensor can be used in two modes, first to sense intrusion within a volume and, second, to provide a distance measuring capability.
Item response theory: applications of modern test theory in medical education

Context Item response theory (IRT) measurement models are discussed in the context of their potential usefulness in various medical education settings such as assessment of achievement and evaluation of clinical performance. Purpose The purpose of this article is to compare and contrast IRT measurement with the more familiar classical measurement theory (CMT) and to explore the benefits of IRT applications in typical medical education settings. Summary CMT, the more common measurement model used in medical education, is straightforward and intuitive. Its limitation is that it is sample-dependent, in that all statistics are confounded with the particular sample of examinees who completed the assessment. Examinee scores from IRT are independent of the particular sample of test questions or assessment stimuli. Also, item characteristics, such as item difficulty, are independent of the particular sample of examinees. The IRT characteristic of invariance permits easy equating of examination scores, which places scores on a constant measurement scale and permits the legitimate comparison of student ability change over time. Three common IRT models and their statistical assumptions are discussed. IRT applications in computer-adaptive testing and as a method useful for adjusting rater error in clinical performance assessments are overviewed. Conclusions IRT measurement is a powerful tool used to solve a major problem of CMT, that is, the confounding of examinee ability with item characteristics. IRT measurement addresses important issues in medical education, such as eliminating rater error from performance assessments.
Genesis of molar pregnancy: Neoplastic transformation of the inner cell mass with a case presentation

Abstract The hydatidiform mole is generally considered to be derived from placental elements due to a histological similarity between molar tissue and placental trophoblasts. A careful dissection was performed recently on a hysterectomy specimen containing an intact molar pregnancy. The presence of a membrane enclosing molar vesicles was demonstrated. To our knowledge, similar findings have not been described in the literature. A detailed morphological description of the contained molar pregnancy, along with an embryological review, will be presented. This case indicates that hydatidiform moles may originate from inside an embryonic sac, similar to an embryo, and not from the trophoblasts that surround the fetal sac. The ultrasound and the hysterogram study support the findings of the dissected specimen. Based on this case study, a model is constructed to illustrate a new concept regarding genesis of hydatidiform mole as a transformation of the embryonic inner cell mass.