cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal Impact of Residential Ground‐Water Heat Pumps

A computer simulation study was conducted to quantify the potential thermal impact of residential water-source heat pump usage on ground-water aquifers. In a first phase of the study, weather data for nine locations throughout the country were used to estimate the energy requirements for heating and air conditioning a typical residence. These energy requirements were then translated into the volumetric water demands for a selected heat pump at each location. A representative model aquifer was then defined and its characteristics used, along with the heat pump water requirements and design ΔT's (difference between inlet and outlet water temperature) to identify the important parameters that contribute to heat transfer and to model the movement of the thermal front resulting from injection of heat pump discharge water at the nine locations. The major factor that determines the heat pump thermal impact was found to be the net amount of heat injected into, or removed from an aquifer. Other significant factors included well design, heat pump design ΔT, and physical properties of the aquifer such as thickness, porosity and dispersivity. The study showed that, in climates where winter heating demand is very nearly equal to summer cooling demands, the injection of heat pump discharge water did not cause any significant modification of the ambient model aquifer temperature. However, in hot or cold climates where air conditioning or heating demand dominates, measurable thermal changes occurred in the model aquifer. In most cases, the maximum temperature
Basic Family Therapy Skills, II: Structural Family Therapy.

The Basic Family Therapy Skills Project has yielded empirically derived skills important for beginning family therapists. This article reports the results of ratings from the 103-member panel of experts who practice and teach Structural Family Therapy. A total of 100 competencies of Structural Family Therapy were rated in terms of importance on a 5-point Likert scale by the panel. Panelists were also given alternative responses such as “appropriate as a generic skill,”“inappropriate for beginning therapists,” and “don't understand what this means.” Rationale for the approach and results are discussed in terms of the importance of empirically based competencies for the practice of Structural Family Therapy.
SU-E-T-60: Can We Use the Same Gamma-Passing Rate When Performing 3-D Analysis as the One From Standard 2-D Comparison?

Purpose: Increasing numbers of institutions are beginning to utilize calculation-based methods (Monte Carlo or commercial software) of performing patient specific IMRT QA. In such systems the full three-dimensional (3-D) dose distribution may be available. In this work we determine the gamma pass rate calculated using the full 3-D dose distribution that is equivalent to the more conventional 2-D gamma pass rate. Methods: 55 IMRT and SBRT plans with a variety of field sizes were selected. All plans were created using Pinnacle v9.0. The delivered dose for each plan was re-computed using Monte Carlo simulation and then compared to the planned dose. 2-D gamma analysis was performed on each of three planes (axial, sagittal and coronal) and the values were compared with those obtained through 3-D gamma analysis. Gamma criteria used included 2%/2mm, 3%/3mm and 5%/5mm. Results: 3-D and 2-D gamma were linearly related (R2 = 0.84). The linear relationship held for all three 2-D planes and did not appear to depend on field size or on gamma criterion. For a given 2-D gamma value, the calculated 3-D gamma was always larger. For a 2-D gamma pass rate of 95% (range 92–97%), the average equivalent 3-D gamma was 97.5% (range 94.3 – 99.7%). Conclusion: For patient-specific IMRT QA involving the full 3-D dose distribution, acceptable plans require a larger percentage of points to pass gamma analysis than for the equivalent 2-D analysis employed during measurement-based QA. If a plan shows a 95% pass rate for a 2-D planar gamma calculation, the corresponding acceptable 3-D plan will have a pass rate of 97.5%. Clinics that use the full 3-D dose distribution for QA will need to adjust their passing criteria accordingly.
A biomechanical investigation of wrist kinematics.

Abstract This paper describes a biomechanical investigation to determine the overall kinematic behavior of the human wrist or carpus. The hand and forearm segments are modeled as rigid bodies, and the three-dimensional kinematic characteristics of the wrist are obtained by studying two clinically significant planar motions of the hand relative to the forearm: flexion-extension motion, and radial-ulnar deviation. The three mechanical quantities used to describe the kinematic behavior of the wrist are the functional range of motion, the looseness locus, and the instantaneous center of rotation locus. In vivo and in vitro experimental data are collected using biplanar X-ray films, and a three-dimensional sonic digitizer interfaced with a small laboratory computer. Validation tests using a metal universal joint with known kinematic properties indicate the accuracy and reliability of the experimental results. Data for one normal subject and one rheumatoid patient, examined both pre and post operatively, are presented and discussed.
Ocean cooling: Constraints from changes in Earth's dynamic oblateness (J2) and altimetry

[1] Dynamic oblateness (J2) observations reflect changes in the latitudinal distribution of mass within the Earth system, and hence can give insights into processes involving water transport and sea level rise. We seek to use records of J2 variations deduced from satellite laser ranging, together with altimetry results, to provide an independent geodetic constraint on changes in ocean heat content (OHC). We show that the size and signature of the J2 signal presented here do not support a recently published report of rapid oceanic heat loss beginning in 2003, which was subsequently attributed to Argo and other instrumental bias effects. Our results are consistent with recent findings of a flattening of the OHC trend at this time inferred from the bias-corrected Argo data, and demonstrate that J2 observations, in combination with other observational and model data types, can provide useful constraints for monitoring and validating ongoing changes in the Earth system.
Rate-Based Process Modeling Study of CO2 Capture with Aqueous Monoethanolamine Solution

Rate-based process modeling technology has matured and is increasingly gaining acceptance over traditional equilibrium-stage modeling approaches. [Taylor et al. Chem. Eng. Prog. 2003, 99, 28−39] Recently comprehensive pilot plant data for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture with aqueous monoethanolamine (MEA) solution have become available from the University of Texas at Austin. The pilot plant data cover key process variables including CO2 concentration in the gas stream, CO2 loading in lean MEA solution, liquid to gas ratio, and packing type. In this study, we model the pilot plant operation with Aspen RateSep, a second generation rate-based multistage separation unit operation model in Aspen Plus. After a brief review on rate-based modeling, thermodynamic and kinetic models for CO2 absorption with the MEA solution, and transport property models, we show excellent match of the rate-based model predictions against the comprehensive pilot plant data and we validate the superiority of the rate-based models over t...
Critical care issues in lung and heart transplantation.

In modern medicine, lung transplantation (LTx) is considered the final remedy for a large number of sufferers from end-stage lung disease. Even though this advanced treatment modality is not widely available because of donor pool shortages and technical resources, future improvements in surgical techniques, immunosuppressive medications, training of more medical professionals, and use of less perfect donors will provide brighter prospects for this group of terminally ill patients.
Differential immunoscreening identifies a glycosylation variant of the epidermal growth factor receptor in ME-180 cervical carcinoma cells.

In this report, we describe the development and characterization of an anti-ME-180 cervical cancer–specific epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor monoclonal antibody (MAb). This MAb, 6C7, specifically binds to ME-180 cervical cancer cells and not to normal cervical epithelial cells. By immunoaffinity chromatography, we have shown that the 6C7 antibody binds to a 205-kDa protein. Subsequent mass spectrometry sequencing analysis identified this protein as an EGF receptor. In addition, treatment of the ME-180 EGF receptor with N- and O-linked glycosidases indicated that this antibody binds to the carbohydrate portion of the glycoprotein. Moreover, Western blotting analysis with an anti–EGF receptor antibody indicated that this protein is present in abundance in all cervical cancer cell lines, including ME-180, HeLa, Ca Ski, HT-3, SiHa, and Hs 588.T. However, the 6C7 antibody only binds to the EGF receptor from ME-180 cells, suggesting that this protein is differentially glycosylated in ME-180 cells, compare...
Biology of the human malignant lymphomas. I. Establishment in continuous cell culture and heterotransplantation of diffuse histiocytic lymphomas.

With the aid of a new methodology of tissue culture which permits rapid screening of nutrient requirements, the tumor cells from pleural or peritoneal effusions of three patients with diffuse histiocytic lymphomas have been established in continuous culture in vitro and designated as the SU-DHL-I, SU-DHL-2, and SU-DHL-3 cell lines, respectively. All three cell lines required a 10% supplement of human pleural effusion fluid or human serum for continuous growth. Morphologically, they closely resembled the tumor cells of the original patients as seen in lymph node biopsies or in pleural or peritoneal effusion fluids. Histochemical studies revealed positive reactions for nonspecific esterase, acid phosphatase, and methyl green-pyronin in both the original tumor cells and the histiocytic lymphoma cell lines. Cytoplasmic vacuoles, which were particularly conspicuous in the-SU-DHL-I cells, were shown to contain lipid. In contrast, a lymphoblastoid cell line, SU-LB-I, was negative for nonspecific esterase, acid phosphatase, and lipid. The histiocytic lymphoma cell lines were more rigorously distinguishable from lymphoblastoid cell lines by their negative EBNA test reactions for the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome and by their lack of surface immunoglobulin staining reactions characteristic of B-lymphocytes. Cytogenetic studies demonstrated that early culture passages of the histiocytic lymphoma cell lines were aneuploid. These cells were also successfully heterotransplanted in the brains of congenitally athymic (“nude”) mice, providing further evidence of their neoplastic character. These histiocytic lymphoma cell lines provide an important new resource for studies of this group of highly malignant human lymphomas.
Skull base osteomyelitis and bisphosphonate use in multiple myeloma: Report of two cases and literature review

OBJECTIVES Although osteoradionecrosis of the mandible is a well known entity, skull base osteomyelitis involving the temporal bone unrelated to otitis externa in patients with multiple myeloma using bisphosphonates has not been reported. We described a new entity of skull base erosion resulting from osteonecrosis, presenting with malignant features in patients using bisphosphonates for multiple myeloma. METHODS Two patients with multiple myeloma and prior zolendronic acid use were referred to our cancer center for management of maxillary and temporal bone masses with skull base erosion. Both patients were in remission and not immunocompromised. Clinical symptoms included pain, cranial nerve deficits, and vertigo. An oroantral fistula developed in the maxillary patient. In both cases, repeat CT and MRI revealed an eroding mass consistent with malignancy. After repeated biopsies, however, no malignancy was seen, and pathology revealed chronic inflammation with bacterial colonization. RESULTS Imaging with technetium and gallium revealed osteomyelitis of the skull base in the temporal bone patient and actinomyces in the maxillary patient. Prolonged intravenous antibiotics resulted insignificant improvement in symptoms and imaging after eight weeks of treatment. CONCLUSION Bisphosphonate-associated osteomyelitis and necrosis of the mandible has been described in recent literature as a diagnostic and management dilemma. However, skull base osteomyelitis from the temporal bone has not been reported, and few cases from the maxilla have been reported. Early recognition and differentiation from similarly presenting malignant disease may prevent intracranial complications resulting from delayed treatment.
Genetic variants affecting alternative splicing of human cholesteryl ester transfer protein

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays an important role in reverse cholesterol transport, with decreased CETP activity increasing HDL levels. Formation of an alternative splice form lacking exon 9 (Δ9-CETP) has been associated with two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in high linkage disequilibrium with each other, namely rs9930761 T>C located in intron 8 in a putative splicing branch site and rs5883 C>T in a possible exonic splicing enhancer (ESE) site in exon 9. To assess the relative effect of rs9930761 and rs5883 on splicing, mini-gene constructs spanning CETP exons 8 to 10, carrying all four possible allele combinations, were transfected into HEK293 and HepG2 cells. The minor T allele of rs5883 enhanced splicing significantly in both cell lines whereas the minor C allele of rs9930761 did not. In combination, the two alleles did not yield greater splicing than the rs5883 T allele alone in HepG2 cells. These results indicate that the genetic effect on CETP splicing is largely attributable to rs5883. We also confirm that Δ9-CETP protein is expressed in the liver but fails to circulate in the blood.
Indicator Species and Scale of Observation

Arthropods, because of their small size, diversity, and sensitivity to environmental variability, can be good indicators of habitat heterogeneity, ecosystem biodiversity, and environmental stress (Brown 1991; Hafernik 1992; Pearson & Cassola 1992; Kremen et al. 1993; Oliver 1993; Kremen 1994). Species richness among arthropod taxa can predict the richness of other taxa from an indicator (Pearson 1992), priority (Oliver 1993), or target (Kremen 1994) taxon. Erwin (1982) hypothesized that there were 30 million tropical arthropods, an estimate based partly on beetles comprising 40% of described taxa. May (1992) cited a lower estimate of six million, based on the percentage of British insects that were butterflies (0.3%). He pointed out, however, that relationships among taxa could vary from place to place, leading to great uncertainty in estimates of total richness. One factor in that uncertainty is that estimates of richness are invariably tied to areas of a particular size. Consequently, richness depends on scale of observation. If different taxa accumulate species at different rates as area increases, then correlations among taxa, or taxon percentages of total species richness, will vary with area size. Because a useful indicator has to be independent of sample size (Noss 1990), it is critical to measure the influence of sample size on indicator taxa. One way to test the influence of scale of observation is to collect samples in a hierarchical fashion so that smallscale samples can be aggregated into samples representing areas of increasing size. I sampled leaf litter invertebrates as part of the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP), a large-scale, long-term study intended to examine the effects of timber harvesting on forest species. Litter samples were nested within plots nested within stands. By aggregating samples into plot data sets and plot data sets into stand data sets, the richness of eight arthropod taxa could be correlated across three scales of observation. By aggregating the stand data sets
Know Your Neighbors, Save the Planet: Social Capital and the Widening Wedge of Pro-Environmental Outcomes

We analyze data from the 2010 General Social Survey to illuminate the relationship of social capital with pro-environmental behavior, a willingness to make sacrifices for the environment, and participation in organized environmental activism. Three kinds of social capital are examined: relational social capital, generalized trust, and community social capital. Specifically, we find that time spent with neighbors was positively correlated with both environmental lifestyle and willingness to sacrifice variables, whereas time spent with relatives was negatively correlated. Generalized trust was positively correlated with willingness to sacrifice variables, as well. Social evening spent with friends was associated with a single outcome variable: having attended an environmental issue demonstration. These findings are consistent with previous research concerning the influence of community-level dynamics on behavior, and suggest that social capital may be an important, though as of yet not well explored, mechan...
The Effect of the Tibiofemoral Contact Path Centroid Location on TKR Contact Forces

Detailed knowledge of in vivo knee contact forces and the contribution from muscles, ligaments, and other soft-tissues to knee joint function are essential for evaluating total knee replacement (TKR) designs. We have recently developed a mathematical model for calculating knee joint contact forces using parametric methodology (Lundberg et al., 2009). The numerical model calculates a “solution space” of three-dimensional contact forces for both the medial and lateral compartments of the tibial plateau. The solution spaces are physiologically meaningful, and represent the result of balancing the external moments and forces by different strategies.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Symptoms of PTSD in a sample of female victims of sexual violence in post-earthquake Haiti

Abstract Background Globally, sexual violence (SV) impacts 25–33% of women, is often perpetrated by intimate partners and occurs even post-disasters. The 2010 Haiti earthquake occasioned a SV epidemic in Cite Soleil, where over 50% of females are reportedly victims of SV via non-intimate partners/strangers (NPSV). Little is known about the psychological effects of SV perpetrated by NPSV; even less in known about the biopsychosocial consequences of NPSV on women in Haiti. Yet, the World Health Organization recently called for research on NPSV, particularly in poor and disaster-affected countries. Methods As a first step in categorizing the consequences of NPSV on female victims in Haiti, we conducted 2 focus groups of 16 female residents of Cite Soleil who survived the earthquake and its aftershocks, along with ensuing hurricanes and cholera. Results Participants reported rapes by strangers who intentionally “crush the uterus.” All endorsed criteria for PTSD, including enduring physiological, neurological and psychological symptoms: significant intrusive, avoidance, arousal, cognitive, mood changes, as well as significant distress/impairment in various areas of functioning; and all but one became pregnant from the experience. All denied substance use and other illness that is not associated with the sexual violence. Limitations Our study was exploratory, targeting a small sample of women in one specific neighborhood and cannot be generalized to all SV victims in Haiti. Conclusions Following earthquakes, there should be vigilance by public health officials and rescue teams for prevention of SV against women. Women who survive SV in Haiti should be provided access to trauma-informed care that addresses biological consequences of the SV, as well as biological, neurological and psychological sequelae.
Public perceptions of the computer impact on society

Based on the authors' experience in conducting a series of day-long community seminars on "The Computer Impact on Society," they describe the programs and what they learned about community perceptions and concerns about present and future use of computers. Issues raised are considered in the context of the problem-list published by the ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy in 1974. This presentation is an effort to provide information to computer professionals who are concerned with defining their responsibility in the area of the effects of computer technology on human society.
Polarization and alignment of spin one states

Abstract This paper gives a geometrical discussion of polarization and alignment of spin one states. An arbitrary pure state is described by two unit vectors. It is shown that a pure state can be decomposed into two orthogonal parts, one of which is completely polarized and the other of which is completely aligned. For mixed states measures of the degree of purity and of the relative amount of polarization and alignment are given.
Penetration of negatively charged lipid interfaces by the doubly deprotonated dipicolinate.

The possibility that a negatively charged organic molecule penetrates the lipid interface in a reverse micellar system is examined using UV−vis absorption and NMR spectroscopy. The hypothesis that deprotonated forms of dipicolinic acid, H2dipic, such as Hdipic− and dipic2−, can penetrate the lipid interface in a microemulsion is based on our previous finding that the insulin-enhancing anionic [VO2dipic]− complex was found to reside in the hydrophobic layer of the reverse micelle (Crans et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 4437−4445). Penetration of a polar and charged compound, namely Hdipic− or dipic2−, into a hydrophobic environment is perhaps unexpected given the established rules regarding the fundamental properties of compound solubility. As such, this work has broad implications in organic chemistry and other disciplines of science. These studies required a comprehensive investigation of the different dipic species and their association in aqueous solutions at varying pH values. Combining the aqueous...
Hyperthermia in combination with oxidative stress induces autophagic cell death in HT-29 colon cancer cells.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanism of ROS-induced hyperthermic cell death in a colon cancer cell line. HT-29 colon cancer cells were exposed to heat (43 °C) in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH). t-BOOH combined with hyperthermia significantly decreased cell viability as compared with t-BOOH or hyperthermia alone. This decrease in cell numbers was associated with retardation in the S phase transit and not through apoptosis. Cell death was noted to be accompanied by specific features characteristic of autophagy: the presence of cytoplasmic autophagic vacuoles; autophagosome membrane association of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3; accumulation of acidic vesicular organelles; and increased incorporation of MDC in the autophagosome. Thermal sensitization through modulation of cellular ROS may represent a novel approach to increase the efficacy of hyperthermia as an anticancer modality.
Correction of Bias in Imputing Missing Values of Categorical Variables

Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is the most common method used in multiple imputation. However, it is not unbiased when it is applied to imputations of categorical variables. The literature has considered the problem for binary variables with only two levels. In this article, we consider more general situations. We not only evaluate the bias associated with the imputation of categorical variables using the MCMC method, but also introduce a method to correct the bias. A simulation study is conducted and an application is provided to demonstrate the advantages of using the correction factors proposed in this article.
Prevalence of behavior changing strategies in fitness video games: theory-based content analysis.

Background: Fitness video games are popular, but little is known about their content. Because many contain interactive tools that mimic behavioral strategies from weight loss intervention programs, it is possible that differences in content could affect player physical activity and/or weight outcomes. There is a need for a better understanding of what behavioral strategies are currently available in fitness games and how they are implemented. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of evidence-based behavioral strategies across fitness video games available for home use. Games available for consoles that used camera-based controllers were also contrasted with games available for a console that used handheld motion controllers. Methods: Fitness games (N=18) available for three home consoles were systematically identified and play-tested by 2 trained coders for at least 3 hours each. In cases of multiple games from one series, only the most recently released game was included. The Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox360 were the two camera-based consoles, and the Nintendo Wii was the handheld motion controller console. A coding list based on a taxonomy of behavioral strategies was used to begin coding. Codes were refined in an iterative process based on data found during play-testing. Results: The most prevalent behavioral strategies were modeling (17/18), specific performance feedback (17/18), reinforcement (16/18), caloric expenditure feedback (15/18), and guided practice (15/18). All games included some kind of feedback on performance accuracy, exercise frequency, and/or fitness progress. Action planning (scheduling future workouts) was the least prevalent of the included strategies (4/18). Twelve games included some kind of social integration, with nine of them providing options for real-time multiplayer sessions. Only two games did not feature any kind of reward. Games for the camera-based consoles (mean 12.89, SD 2.71) included a greater number of strategies than those for the handheld motion controller console (mean 10.00, SD 2.74, P =.04). Conclusions: Behavioral strategies for increasing self-efficacy and self-regulation are common in home console fitness video games. Social support and reinforcement occurred in approximately half of the studied games. Strategy prevalence varies by console type, partially due to greater feedback afforded by camera-based controllers. Experimental studies are required to test the effects of these strategies when delivered as interactive tools, as this medium may represent an innovative platform for disseminating evidence-based behavioral weight loss intervention components. [J Med Internet Res 2013;15(5):e81]
Acceleration of hierarchical Bayesian network based cortical models on multicore architectures

We examine the parallelization of two biologically inspired hierarchical Bayesian cortical models onto recent multicore architectures. These models have been developed recently based on new insights from neuroscience and have several advantages over traditional neural network models. In particular, they need far fewer network nodes to simulate a large scale cortical model than traditional neural network models, making them computationally more efficient. This is the first study of the parallelization of this class of models onto multicore processors. Our results indicate that the models can take advantage of both thread and data level parallelism to provide significant speedups on multicore architectures. MPI implementations on clusters of multicore processors were also examined, and showed that the models scaled well with the number of machines in the clusters.
Effect of Spironolactone on Diastolic Function and Left Ventricular Mass in Maine Coon Cats with Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Author(s): MacDonald, K A; Kittleson, M D; Kass, P H; White, Stephen D | Abstract: Myocardial fibrosis occurs in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and is one factor that leads to diastolic dysfunction. Spironolactone (SPIR) reduces myocardial fibrosis in several models of HCM and in humans with cardiac disease.SPIR will improve diastolic function and reduce left ventricular (LV) mass in Maine Coon cats with HCM.Maine Coon cats with familial HCM were included if there was concentric hypertrophy (g or =6 mm end diastolic wall thickness) and decreased early lateral mitral annular velocity (Em) or summated early and late mitral annular velocity (EAsum) measured by pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography. Cats were paired by Em-EAsum and randomized to receive 2 mg/kg SPIR (n = 13) or placebo (n = 13) PO q12 h for 4 months. Em-EAsum, systolic velocity, LV mass, and the ratio of left atrial to aortic diameter were measured at baseline, 2 months, and 4 months. Statistical analysis included 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance and the Student's t-test.Plasma aldosterone concentration increased in cats treated with SPIR (235 ng/mL, baseline; 935 ng/mL, 2 months; 1,077 ng/mL, 4 months; P l .001 at 2 and 4 months). No significant treatment effect was identified for early or early-late summated diastolic mitral annular velocity or any other variable except plasma aldosterone concentration. Severe facial ulcerative dermatitis developed in 4 of 13 cats treated with SPIR, requiring discontinuation of the drug.SPIR did not improve Em or EAsum of the lateral mitral annulus or alter LV mass over 4 months. One third of cats treated with SPIR developed severe ulcerative facial dermatitis.
LIGA fabricated 19-element threshold accelerometer array

Abstract This paper reports the design, fabrication, packaging, and testing of a relay-type threshold accelerometer array. The array includes 15 different sense elements ranging from 10 to 150 g in 10 g increments, and triply redundant 20 and 100 g sense elements for a total of 19 elements. The devices were fabricated using a modified sacrificial LIGA technique that creates a 100–300 μm thick nickel structure with gold plated contacts. The threshold accelerometer array was evaluated by measuring its response to an applied acceleration (using a centrifuge) and by using two built-in testing methods: a pull-in voltage test, and a transit time test. Unlike the pull-in voltage test, the transit time test is sensitive to variations in the proof mass and spring constant. The average results from the centrifuge test, pull-in voltage test, and transit time test are all within approximately 20% of the expected values that are analytically calculated. In addition to the relay-type threshold sensing, the devices permit non-discretized readout of the acceleration using an alternative sense mode, in which the capacitance between the test electrode and proof mass was measured. This measurement shows a sensitivity of 670 aF/g for a 50 g threshold accelerometer, which is also within 20% of theoretical estimates.
Enhanced cavitation by using two consecutive ultrasound waves at different frequencies

Efficient and noninvasive generation of cavitation bubbles in soft tissue is a challenging task due to the lack of cavitation nuclei (i.e., pre-existing gas bubbles). In this study, we present a method to generate and enhance cavitation activity based on the utilization of two consecutive ultrasound waves at different frequencies. First, a high frequency (5 MHz) high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) wave was applied to a tissue-mimicking phantom to induce a rapid temperature rise in the ultrasound focal region. Immediately following the high frequency HIFU wave, a low frequency (1 MHz) HIFU wave was applied to the same focal region to induce acoustic cavitation. We found that cavitation activity was enhanced when the temperature in the tissue-mimicking phantom was first elevated by the high frequency HIFU wave. The enhancement was greater when a higher intensity of high frequency HIFU wave was applied. This result may be due to the temporary super-saturation of air in the initially air-saturated test samples and the reduction of surface tension at an elevated temperature.
Soliciting an herbal medicine and supplement use history at hospice admission.

Abstract Background: Reconciling medication use and performing drug utilization review on admission of a patient into hospice care are essential in order to safely prescribe medications and to prevent possible adverse drug events and drug–drug interactions. As part of this process, fully assessing herbal medicine and supplement use in hospice patients is crucial, as patients in hospice may be likely to use these medications and may be more vulnerable to their potential adverse effects. Objective: Our purpose was to identify herbals, vitamins, and supplements that should be routinely assessed on every hospice admission because of their higher likelihood of use or higher risk of adverse effects or drug interactions. Methods: Experts in the fields of palliative medicine, pharmacy, and alternative medicine were asked to complete a Web-based survey on 37 herbals, vitamins, supplements, and natural products, rating likelihood of use, potential for harm, and recommendation to include it on the final list on a sc...
Sliding Under the Radar: Passing and Power Among Sexual Minorities

This study investigated the role of intentional and unintentional passing in the lives of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and queer individuals. Qualitative data were collected through a series of nine focus groups and analyzed using grounded theory. Passing as straight allowed participants to maintain or achieve the privileges afforded to the dominant group, but not without costs. This experience was affected by individual factors, which impacted one's social distance from the hegemony, as well as contextual factors, such as perceiver characteristics and environment. In general, passing was seen as both a signifier of oppression and a strategic appropriation of power.
Age Patterns of Suicide and Homicide Mortality Rates in High-Income Nations

In most nations, suicide rates tend to increase and homicide victimization rates tend to decrease with age, but the degree of increase and decrease varies over time and across nations. In particular, some nations more than others show a worsening of youth lethal violence relative to older age groups. This age variation across nations and time in both forms of lethal violence may result from (1) the sizes of youth and elderly age groups, and the disadvantages and advantages, respectively, that size brings; (2) family changes that most harm younger, more recent cohorts; and (3) sociopolitical dimensions of equality that smooth the transition to adulthood. Using aggregate data on 18 nations over the period from 1955 to 1994, the analysis examines how these determinants affect measures of suicide and homicide rates among the young relative to older ages. In support of the theoretical arguments, the results show that deviations from the general increase in suicide with age and decrease in homicide with age relate as predicted to measures of demographic, family, and sociopolitical institutions.
Influence of Androgens on Differentiation of Secondary Sex Characters in Tree Lizards, Urosaurus ornatus

Vertebrates species vary in the degree to which the sexes differ in their expression of secondary sex characters, which can be expressed in one sex but not the other, fully expressed in both sexes, or expressed to different degrees in the two sexes. Sex steroid hormones contribute to the development of sex differences, either through action early in life (organization), following sexual maturation (activation), or both. However, relatively little is known about the contributions of sex steroid hormones to species-level variation in sexual dimorphism. We began to address this by assessing in tree lizards, Urosaurus ornatus, the effects of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on expression of the male-typical traits: femoral pore secretions, accessory sex tissues, patches of ventrolateral blue, intensity and hue of throat color, and body size. We administered long-lasting hormone implants of these androgens to intact or ovariectomized adult females, intact hatchling females, and intact hatchling males to determine the relative contribution of organizational and activational influences of androgens on sexual differentiation of these traits. Waxy femoral pore secretions and full intensity of the orange background color of the throat fan (dewlap) required only activation and both androgens were equally effective. Both androgens caused hypertrophy of accessory tissues associated with the hemipenes, but only in hatchling males. Full expression of ventrolateral blue patches required organization by DHT. Androgens had complex organizational actions on growth. In the doses used in the experiment, DHT inhibited body-length growth but not mass growth of hatchling males. Only T inhibited the growth (length and mass) of hatchling females. Because earlier work found that castration also reduced the growth of hatchling males, the organizational effects of androgen on growth might be dose-related. Results for hormonal control of dewlap type were complex. In this population dewlap color is solid orange in females, but polymorphic in males with 50% expressing solid orange (O) and 50% orange-blue (orange with a central blue patch, OB). These color morphs represent permanent male alternatives: OB males are territorial and more aggressive than O males who do not defend territories. Results of the hormone manipulations are most consistent with the interpretation that dewlap morph type requires both organization and activation by androgen. T appears to be more important in organizing morph differences, whereas DHT appears to be more important in activating expression of underlying morph differences. Females only expressed male-typical OB dewlaps when given DHT, and only about 50% did so.
Throughput maximization in CSMA networks with collisions

In the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer of a wireless network that uses Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA), the performance is limited by collisions that occur because of carrier sensing delays associated with propagation and the sensing electronics. In this paper, we use a continuous-time Markov model to analyze and optimize the performance of a system using CSMA with collisions caused by sensing delays. The throughput of the network is quantified using the stationary distribution of the Markov model. An online algorithm is developed for the unconstrained throughput maximization problem. Further, a constrained problem is formulated and solved using a numerical algorithm. Simulations are provided to analyze and validate the solution to the unconstrained and constrained optimization problems.
Single‐stranded nucleic acid‐binding protein, Purα, interacts with RNA homologous to 18S ribosomal RNA and inhibits translation in vitro

Purα is a highly conserved, eukaryotic sequence-specific DNA- and RNA-binding protein involved in diverse cellular and viral functions including transcription, replication, and cell growth. Purα exerts its activity in part by interacting with other viral and cellular proteins. One such protein is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type I regulatory protein Tat. Earlier studies have demonstrated that this interaction is mediated by Purα-associated RNA (PARNA) and that RNA immunopurified from mammalian expressed Purα was capable of reconstituting the interaction between these two proteins. In the current study, we characterize four RNA species which were immunopurified with Purα. Northern blot analysis with one of the PARNAs revealed a highly abundant signal of ∼2.0 kilobases (kb) present in all cell lines tested. Sequence analysis of each of the four PARNA clones revealed a high homology to different regions of the human 18S ribosomal RNA sequence. Based on this homology, we investigated the influence of Purα on translation. Luciferase assays were performed after coupled in vitro transcription/translation reactions with a vector containing a luciferase reporter construct and increasing concentrations of BSA, GST, and GST-Purα. Inclusion of GST-Purα in these reactions resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of luciferase activity. Similar inhibition was observed with in vitro translation reactions performed with in vitro transcribed luciferase RNA and increasing concentrations of GST-Purα. In control experiments, inclusion of increasing concentrations of GST-Purα with luciferase protein resulted in no effect on luciferase activity. Taken together, these data demonstrate that Purα inhibits translation reactions in vitro. Moreover, this Purα-mediated inhibition of translation can be abrogated by HIV-1 Tat protein. J. Cell. Biochem. 83: 355–363, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Use of the hyperbolic differential operator to find a scalar statistic which has constant regression on the mean of a sample of Wishart matrices

Abstract Scalar polynomial statistics are found which have constant regression on the mean of a sample of Wishart matrices. The method used is to differentiate the characteristic function associated with the Wishart distribution, thus expressing the constant regression condition as a differential equation which is satisfied by the Wishart characteristic function. In this respect, use is made of the hyperbolic differential operator.
Calcium binding by parathyroid cell plasma membranes.

Abstract Parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion from parathyroid glands is controlled mainly by extracellular calcium both in vivo and in vitro . In this study, the Ca2+ binding properties of bovine parathyroid cells have been investigated on a highly purified plasma membrane preparation with flow dialysis techniques. Scatchard plot analysis of the data shows the existence of at least two different binding sites: the high affinity have an apparent Kd1 of 6.6×10−5 M and a capacity (n1) of 20.1 nmol/mg protein. The low affinity sites have an apparent Kd2 of 2.6 · 10−4 M and a capacity (n2) of 37.7 nmol/mg protein. Furthermore, at higher total Ca2+ concentrations, additional bindings with an apparent Kd3 in the millimolar range and a capacity (n3) of 118 nmol/mg protein are detectable. Neither the apparent Kd's nor n's of these calcium binding sites was affected by isotonic substitution of the medium with NaCl or KCl, while the number of binding sites increased in Choline Cl. On the other hand, the presence of 5–10 mM LiCl in isotonic NaK medium caused a marked decrease in calcium binding from these sites. LiCl is the only monovalent cation that both in vitro and in vivo is able to enhance PTH release regardless of high or low extracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Therefore the observed displacement of calcium from calcium binding sites seems to be rather specific and could correlate with the observed enhanced PTH secretion in parathyroid cells. It is proposed that the first event in the regulation of PTH secretion by extracellular Ca2+ is the binding of Ca2+ to the low affinity, high capacity sites present on the surface of parathyroid cells and that calcium occupancy of those sites is the necessary event to initiate intracellular signals leading to inhibition of PTH secretion.
Development of mitochondrial and contractile components of the flight muscle in adult tsetse flies, Glossina morsitans

Abstract Estimates have been made of the phospholipid, the water, and the cytochrome-c content of the dorsal longitudinal flight muscles of the tsetse fly, and of the total non-fatty dry weight of the thorax, at different stages of adult development. The results have served as a basis for the partitioning of the dry weight of flight muscle into its three main components—contractile protein, mitochondrial protein, and phospholipid. Development is shown to involve a twofold increase in the amount of contractile protein, and a threefold increase in the amount of mitochondrial protein. These changes are discussed in relation to associated changes in wingbeat frequency.
Minimal-incision open carpal tunnel decompression☆

A modification of the classic open carpal tunnel decompression is reported. This procedure provides for direct visualization of the carpal ligament and median nerve using a small palmar incision. Postoperative discomfort and scarring are diminished. The small dressing, without splinting, permits rapid return to usual daily activities, and time lost from work is minimized. For those who regard endoscopic decompression as a "blind" procedure, this technique provides for a direct approach with minimal morbidity.
Medium access control game with an enhanced physical-link layer interface

We consider distributed medium access control in a wireless network where each link layer user (transmitter) is equipped with multiple transmission options as opposed to the classical binary options of transmitting/idling. In each time slot, a user randomly chooses a transmission option according to a “transmission probability vector”. Packets sent by the users are either received or lost depending on whether reliable decoding is supported by the communication channel. We propose a game theoretic model for distributed medium access control where each user adapts its transmission probability vector to maximize a utility function. Condition under which the medium access control game has a unique Nash equilibrium is obtained. Simulation results show that, when multiple transmission options are provided, users in a distributed network tend to converge to channel sharing schemes that are consistent with the well-known information theoretic understandings.
Experimental and Theoretical Study of Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate Conformers

Raman measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to evaluate the propensity of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) to conformational changes. In the crystalline phase under ambient conditions, the PETN molecule has S4 symmetry. Two instances of symmetry change were found and presented in this work. One involved compressing the PETN crystal statically to ≥5 GPa in a diamond anvil cell. The other was observed upon dissolving PETN in a polar solvent (acetone-d6). DFT calculations indicate that changes in conformation/symmetry can be observed readily through changes in the vibrational spectrum. Several representative stable PETN conformations of various symmetries were found and examined. The calculated Raman spectra provide support for the conclusion that the S4 symmetry, at ambient conditions, changes to C2 under static high-pressure loading and to C2 or C1 in solution.
ECG manifestations: the poisoned patient.

Despite that drugs have widely varying indications for therapeutic use, many unrelated drugs share a common cardiac pharmacologic effect if taken in overdose. The purpose of this article is to group together agents that cause similar electrocardiographic effects, review their pharmacologic actions, and discuss the electrocardiographic findings reported in the medical literature.
VLSI neural network architectures

VLSI architectures for neural networks are presented. Neural networks have wide-ranging applications in classification, control, and optimization. With the need for real-time performance, VLSI neural networks have gained significant attention. Digital, analog, and mixed-mode designs are used for this application. Modular and reconfigurable designs are necessary so that various neural network models can be easily configured. >
Pt and Pd Silicides and Pd Germanide as Contact Metallizations for GaAs

Refractory metal silicides have been shown to form stable Schottky barriers on GaAs up to an annealing temperature of ∼850°C. In this study, the metallurgical and electrical stability of near noble metal (Pd and Pt) silicide contacts to GaAs have been investigated. It is observed that Pd and Pt silicides are metallurgically more stable than Pd and Pt alone on GaAs. A correlation between the stability of silicide contacts and the heat of formation of the silicides normalized to per metal atom is found, thus allowing the prediction of contact stability of other silicides on GaAs. We have also investigated the feasibility of using solid-phase epitaxy (SPE) to grow a highly doped Ge epitaxial layer on GaAs to form a non-alloyed ohmic contact. This approach of forming a Ge/GaAs heterojunction alleviates the high vacuum requirement of MBE techniques. Our preliminary results indicate that relatively low contact resistivities can be obtained by SPE using the Ge-Sb-Pd system.