cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi - Higgs systems in bosonic technicolor: A Model for SSC physics

Multi-Higgs systems are combined with bosonic technicolor to construct a viable model of TeV physics. In such models, there is potentially a flavor problem in either the supersymmetric or the Higgs sector. However, the naturally larger mass scale for supersymmetry breaking and Higgs masses, which is a salient feature of bosonic technicolor, allows one to resolve the GUT-hierarchy problem without large flavor violation. With a judicious choice of the Higgs system, hierarchies of family masses and mixing angles of the right order of magnitude are achieved without resorting to small Yukawa couplings. Some of these masses and mixing angles are generated by radiative corrections. At energies below 100 GeV the standard model is reproduced, whereas at TeV energies a rich phenomenology of supersymmetric states and techni-hadrons is predicted. We present precise formulas to describe many aspects of the model and its phenomenology at tree and one-loop levels.
An efficient procedure for computing minque of variance components and generalized least squares estimates of fixed effects

An efficient method for computing minimum norm quadratic unbiased estimates (MINQUE) of variance components and generalized least squares estimates of the fixed effects in the mixed model is developed. The computing algorithm uses a modification of the W transformation.
Burnout Syndrome among Information System Professionals

Abstract Burnout is a unique type of stress syndrome. Although it has been shown to be potentially very costly in the helping professions, such as nursing, education, and social work, little work has been done to apply the concept to technical professionals such as information systems (IS) professionals. Given the nature of information systems development, we believe that burnout can be a potential problem for IS professionals. the study described herein examined the levels of burnout among a group of IS developers in the United States. the results indicated that the levels of burnout among IS professionals differ according to their job types and work contents.
SPATIAL AUTOCORRELATION AND LOCAL DISAPPEARANCES IN WINTERING NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

I examined the degree to which population sizes of North American wintering birds exhibit spatial synchrony (autocorrelation) and local disappearances based on 30 yr of Christmas Bird Counts. The primary goal of these analyses was to determine whether processes expected in metapopulations, including low spatial synchrony, frequent local disappearances, and colonization leading to population rescue, play important roles in species that are not necessarily subdivided into discrete patches. In general, spatial auto- correlation was less than expected based on environmental factors, with only one-third of species significantly spatially autocorrelated between sites up to 100 km apart and only three (1%) spatially autocorrelated on a continental scale. Spatial autocorrelation was sig- nificantly lower for primarily aquatic compared to terrestrial species and tended to be higher among small, widely distributed, and relatively abundant species with more northern winter distributions and low relative population variability. Local disappearances (years when no individuals were detected) were also common and tended to last longer in aquatic, migratory species high in the food chain. When controlling for confounding factors, there was a significant positive relationship between spatial synchrony and the length of disappearances among resident species, as expected if population rescue contributes to interspecific vari- ation in these parameters. These results support the hypothesis that processes expected in metapopulations may be important in many resident bird species. They also provide insight as to which species are more vulnerable to global extinction as well as those for which monitoring efforts aimed at detecting large-scale population declines may be performed efficiently by extrapolating from data acquired at relatively few sites.
A review of spray-cooling and bottom-flooding work for lwr cores

Abstract Rewetting or the re-establishment of water films on the hot, fuel rod surfaces is of fundamental importance following a loss-of-coolant accident in a water cooled reactor. Two techniques are used: rewetting by a falling film of water (top sparay) and rewetting by an upflow of water (bottom flooding). Considerable theoretical and experimental work has been done to investigate the effects of different operating parameters on these techniques, and that work is summarized here.
Characterization of Ternary Compounds in the BaO:Fe2O3:TiO2System: Ba6Fe45Ti17O106and BaFe11Ti3O23

Abstract Single crystals of Ba6Fe45Ti17O106and BaFe11Ti3O23were obtained as major and minor coproducts, respectively, by slow-cooling an off-stoichiometric BaO:Fe2O3:TiO2melt. The former compound exhibits variable stoichiometry, Ba6Fe48−xTi14−xO106, with the Fe:Ti ratio dependent upon the partial pressure of oxygen. The value ofxcorresponds to the equivalents of reduction that occur to maintain electroneutrality as the Ti-content increases. When prepared in air, this phase occurs atx=3 with the stoichiometry Ba6Fe45Ti17O106, while in 100% oxygen thex-value approaches zero with the resulting stoichiometry Ba6Fe48Ti14O106(all Fe3+and Ti4+). The structures of Ba6Fe45Ti17O106and BaFe11Ti3O23were solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Ba6Fe45Ti17O106was prepared in polycrystalline form, and further structural details, including accurate Fe/Ti occupancy factors, were determined by a combined refinement using neutron and synchrotron powder diffraction data. (Ba6Fe45Ti17O106: Space groupC2/m(No. 12);a=19.390(1) A,b=20.260(1) A,c=10.076(1) A,β=105.27(1)°;V=3818.5(3)A3;Z=2;ρcalc=5.08 g/cm3. Ba6Fe11Ti3O23= Space groupC2/c (No. 15);a=19.561(1) A,b=8.6614(7) A,c=10.120(1) A,β=105.62(1)°;V=1651.1(3) A3;Z=4;ρcalc=5.08 g/cm3.) Both compounds adopt eight-layer close-packed structures built from alternatingccpandhcp[O, (Ba, O)] layers stacked along thea-direction with a (ch)4repeat sequence. Both structures feature octahedral sites occupied by a mixture of Fe and Ti as well as tetrahedral sites occupied by Fe3+the structural formulas areXIIBa6IVFe6VI(Fe39Ti17)O106andXIIBaIVFe2VI(Fe9Ti3)O23. Both compounds are partially reduced; the former contains 3 moles of Fe2+(or Ti3+) per formula unit, and the latter contains 1mole. The formation of Fe2+is considered more likely than Ti3+, but could not be experimentally confirmed. BaFe11Ti3O23is apparently metastable in air when cooled from above the solidus and could not be prepared as a polycrystalline sample. Indexed experimental X-ray powder diffraction data for Ba6Fe45Ti17O106are given. Polycrystalline samples of this compound were used to measure its magnetic and electrical properties. The magnetic behavior of Ba6Fe45Ti17O106above room temperature up to 1073 K was found to obey the Curie–Weiss law, which indicated a small effective magnetic moment (34μBper mole Ba6Fe45Ti17O106) and a large negative temperature intercept (−806 K). Electrical resistivity measurements between room temperature and 120 K revealed nonmetallic behavior with an activation energy on the order of 0.17eV. At 347 MHz under ambient conditions, Ba6Fe45Ti17O106exhibited a relative permittivity of 24 and a dielectric loss tangent of 0.10.
Biological Significance of Low Weed Population Densities on Sweet Corn

Some weed plants escape current weed management systems in nearly all sweet corn (Zea mays L.) fields. Decisions to target escaped weeds, and justify the added expense, require knowledge of the biological significance of low weed population densities on the crop. The objectives were to (i) quantify giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L.) area of influence (AOI) on sweet corn, and (ii) investigate potential links among giant ragweed AOI and crop growth, development, and yield attributes. All measured crop attributes were influenced by giant ragweed AOI, including plant height near silk emergence (HT), thermal time to silk emergence, green ear mass (GMASS), husked ear mass (HMASS), filled ear length (LENGTH), ear width at midpoint (WIDTH), and kernel moisture (MOIST). Proportion of silked plants declined for sweet corn within 160 cm of giant ragweed, with less than one-half of the crop plants producing a marketable ear within 42 cm of giant ragweed. Weed interference harmed ear attributes most when crop development was delayed, as evidenced by path analysis of giant ragweed's direct and indirect associations with yield attributes. Even the lowest population density of giant ragweed can be costly, with yield loss estimates ranging from $0.86 to $8.75 per weed plant, depending on crop market type.
Photoreactivation of nitrate reductase production in Nicotiana tabacum var. Xanthi

Ultraviolet (254 nm) irradiation of liquid-cultured tobacco cells inhibited the production of nitrate reductase; subsequent illumination with white light allowed a partial restoration of the synthesis of the enzyme (photoreactivation). Ultraviolet irradiation of these same cells also inhibited their ability to incorporate labeled uridine and labeled amino acids. Subsequent illumination with white light gave a partial restoration of the ability of the cells to incorporate uridine while a similar post-ultraviolet-irradiation treatment failed to restore the amino acid incorporation. The system in tobacco known to repair ultraviolet-damaged viral RNA thus does not seem to repair ultraviolet damage to the protein-synthesizing system of the cell. The photoreactivation of nitrate reductase production is best explained by the action of a DNA photorepairing system.
A Hysteresis-Compensated Self-Sensing Scheme for Vanadium Dioxide-Coated Microactuators

Vanadium dioxide (VO2)-coated silicon dioxide microactuators demonstrate fully reversible actuation, large bending and high energy density. To better utilize its actuation potential while minimizing the cost in obtaining sensory feedback, a novel composite hysteresis model is presented to obtain the deflection feedback based on the resistance measurement. In this model the deflection is obtained from the voltage value through a generalized Prandtl-Ishlinskii model, while the voltage in turn is calculated based on the resistance measurement through the analytical inverse of another generalized Prandtl-Ishlinskii model. For comparison purposes, a Preisach model and a polynomial model, respectively, are adopted to estimate the deflection based on resistance measurement directly. Experimental results show that, for a 550 μm long VO2-based microactuator, the average absolute errors of the self-sensing schemes based on the composite model, the Preisach model, and the polynomial model are 0.554 μm, 1.232 μm, and 2.898 μm, respectively, over the deflection range of [−0.2, 102.9] μm. The composite model also shows advantages over the Preisach model in terms of the calculation time needed in deflection estimation. In addition, in separate verification experiments, the error resulted from the composite model-based self-sensing scheme is only 60% and 40 % of those under the schemes using the Preisach model and the polynomial model, respectively.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The use of hydroxyapatite granules for the correction of skeletal facial deformities

Augmentation of the craniomaxillofacial region is required for many esthetic and reconstructive procedures. Although a variety of different materials and techniques have been described, coral-derived hydroxyapatite granules (HA), which are biocompatible with bone, seem to be the ideal material. In the past 25 years, we have observed HA granules to be a safe, stable, easy to use, and cost-effective material that can provide the exact shape and size of the area to be augmented. Complications are few, and the technique is simple and quick. This study is an update of our previous articles studying HA granules as an augmentation and reconstructive material. This material has been proven to be an effective tool in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
Hematological malignancies diagnosed by bone marrow examination in a tertiary hospital at Uttarakhand, India

Introduction Hematological malignancies are quite common and affect all ages and genders. The diagnosis involves a multiparameter approach. The geographical distribution of various types of hematological malignancies has been provided by various authors but no such data have been published regarding the State of Uttarakhand in India.
Folding of a β-sheet Protein Monitored by Real-time NMR Spectroscopy

Abstract At low ionic strength, apoplastocyanin forms an unfolded state under non-denaturing conditions. The refolding of this state is sufficiently slow to allow real-time NMR experiments to be performed. Folding of apoplastocyanin, initiated by the addition of salt and followed by real-time 2D 1 H– 15 N heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) spectroscopy, is highly cooperative. A concomitant increase in the intensity of both sequential and long-range nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs) between backbone amide protons in successive acquisitions of 1 H– 15 N HSQC-NOESY-HSQC spectra provides the first direct observation of the development of structure-specific NOEs as a protein folds. Our results show that the local and long-range interactions in the native apoplastocyanin are formed simultaneously, consistent with highly cooperative formation of the native structure.
Conjugation of p-nitrophenol with sulfate in larvae of the southern armyworm (Prodenia eridania)

Abstract Of a dose of 14 C- p -nitrophenol administered orally to sixth-instar larvae of the southern armyworm ( Prodenia eridania ) 17–25% was recovered from the excreta as the sulfate ester during the first 48 hr after treatment. Unchanged 14 C- p -nitrophenol accounted for a further 7% of the applied dose and the remaining radioactivity was in some form which was apparently bound tighly with plant pigments. No evidence was obtained for the presence of 14 C- p -nitrophenyl β- d -glucoside of 14 C- p -nitrophenyl phosphate in the armyworm fecal extract.
Enhanced densification and mechanical properties of ZrB2–SiC processed by a preceramic polymer coating route

Dense ZrB2–SiC ultra-high temperature ceramics were prepared by a novel pressureless sintering process. The relative density of sintered ceramics increased from 62.5% for ZrB2 to 96.7% by coating the starting ZrB2 powder with polycarbosilane, which was converted to C and SiC by pyrolysis. The mechanism of enhanced densification and the mechanical properties of the sintered ZrB2–SiC ceramics were investigated.
Versatile pulsed NMR system and experiments for students

A simple yet versatile pulsed proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) apparatus is described, together with experiments for students joining an NMR research group or students in an advanced laboratory course. The centerpiece of the apparatus is a 1.4 or 2.1 T permanent magnet from a commercial, continuous-wave spectrometer with high field stability and uniformity. Such magnets are available at low cost as cast-offs and allow high-resolution NMR with little effort. The magnet is used together with the original NMR probe and some of the electronics, decreasing the cost and time to construct the apparatus. The radiofrequency circuitry is primarily connectorized components, mounted on an open layout to allow for rapid student comprehension. If a computer with a data acquisition card is already available, the cost of the apparatus is under $3000. Several experiments are described, illustrating the principles of nuclear magnetism. These include free induction decays, transverse and longitudinal relaxation, spin echoes, motional averaging, Fourier analysis, high resolution observation of chemical shifts and spin-spin splittings, and one-dimensional imaging. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 12: 257–268, 2000
Density Functional Theory and the Chern-Simons Field Approach to the Fractional Quantum Hall Effect

In the effective field-theory of the fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE), a purely formal Chern-Simons (CS) statistical gauge field is usually introduced and justified via the equivalence of the effective Lagrangian for the electromagnetic field. We identify this CS-field with a "physical field" arising from the exchange-correlation vector potential of current-density functional theory. The resulting Kohn–Sham picture of FQHE is compare with Laughlin's and Jain's theories.
Filial piety and parental responsibility: an interpretive phenomenological study of family caregiving for a person with mental illness among Korean immigrants.

Despite the strong influence of culture on family involvement in disease management, few studies have examined how immigrant families care for persons with mental illness. The purpose of this study was to examine how immigrant families organize their world to care for a mentally ill person in the United States. The current analysis focused on how Confucian notions of filial piety and parental obligation shape caregiving in Korean immigrant families. Participants in this interpretive phenomenological study were comprised of six Korean immigrant women caring for a family member with mental illness. Participants provided narratives that illustrate challenges and opportunities in caring for their mentally ill family member. Three family caregiving patterns were discerned. Insulating from the outside world describes a family’s effort to accept a member's illness and to manage it within the family. Prioritizing education over well-being concerns parental commitment to the Confucian priority of educating one’s children. Reciprocating the sacrifice describes how a family adapts and enacts filial piety. The findings of this study warrant further study to examine the influence of Confucianism among Korean American families. The three patterns of caregiving are strongly aligned with Confucian notion of family and family engagement. These patterns may help health providers to anticipate the needs of and provide individualized, culturally appropriate mental health care for patients with mental illness and their families of Korean origin.
Acute intraperitoneal toxicity of ochratoxin A and B derivatives in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).

The acute ip toxicities of five derivatives of ochratoxins A and B, metabolites of Aspergillus ochraceus, were determined using 6-month-old Mt. Shasta strain rainbow trout as test animals. Ethyl esters of ochratoxins A and B were lethal to trout when administered in corn oil. The 10-day LD50 values of ochratoxin A and B ethyl esters were 3·0 and 13·0 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Ochratoxins A and B, the ip toxicities of which were previously determined in rainbow trout in another study, were again administered in this study under the current experimental conditions. The LD50 of ochratoxin A was 5·53 mg/kg body weight (13·72 μmols/kg), while ochratoxin B caused no deaths at a dose of 66·7 mg/kg body weight. The ethyl ester of ochratoxin a administered ip in corn oil, and the alanine and leucine analogues of ochratoxin A administered in aqueous bicarbonate, were not lethal to trout at a dose level of 13·72 μmols/kg body weight (the LD50 of ochratoxin A). Histopathological damage caused by these toxins in the trout liver and kidney is described.
Simulation of Thermal Transport in Nanowire Composites for Macro-Electronics Applications

Thermal transport in thin film transistors (TFTs) composed of nanowires embedded in plastic substrates is considered. Random ensembles of intersecting and contacting wires embedded in a substrate are analyzed using Fourier theory. Heat generation due to self-heating is included. A finite volume scheme is used to obtain the temperature solutions in the wires and substrate. Temperature profiles in the ensemble are investigated as a function of wire number density, wire-contact Biot number as well as the Biot number for heat transfer to the substrate.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Fourier transform atomic emission studies using a glow discharge as the emission source

Abstract The glow discharge (GD) is investigated as a possible atomic emission source for Fourier transform atomic emission spectroscopy (FT-AES). Noise power spectra are presented to demonstrate that GD emission is primarily characterized by photon noise, although a drift noise component exists at extremely low frequencies. The photon noise character is important, since photon noise limited sources are expected to outperform source flicker noise limited sources in terms of measurement precision. The implementation of bandpass restriction and dual channel subtractive noise cancellation as possible means of improving measurement precision are also presented. In both cases, the improvements were found to be minimal, a fact attributed to the probable suitability of the GD for FT-AES.
Predictors of human papillomavirus vaccination acceptability among underserved women.

Objectives The objectives of this study were to examine underserved women's acceptability of the forthcoming human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines and to identify correlates of HPV vaccine acceptability. Study design A sample of primarily low-income minority women (n = 58) recruited from community health clinics completed a semistructured interview assessing health beliefs, vaccination attitudes, health behavior, and HPV vaccination intentions. Results Personal acceptability of the HPV vaccines was generally high. Moreover, 100% of parents were interested in having their children vaccinated. Correlates of vaccination intentions included health beliefs and attitudes (perceived risk of HPV infection, perceived safety and effectiveness of HPV vaccines, perceived physician encouragement for vaccination) and previous health behavior (HIV testing). Independent predictors of vaccine acceptability were also identified. Conclusions The current study highlights key correlates of vaccine acceptability that may inform HPV vaccination campaigns for underserved populations.
Factors Affecting the Outcomes of Community-Based Behavioral Support I. Identification and Description of Factor Categories

This study was the first of a two-phase investigation of factors affecting the outcomes of behavioral support for individuals with severe disabilities in community settings. It involved an initial literature review and semistructured interviews to obtain the perspectives of informed participants from three constituent groups: family members, direct service providers, and trainers/consultants. The descriptive data from these interviews were synthesized via content analysis procedures, resulting in the identification of 12 factor categories. The categories ranged from individual, setting, and plan-specific variables to broader considerations such as support provider interactions and systemic issues (e.g., agency/program-wide procedures, prevailing philosophies). The results of this study offer implications for practice and new directions for investigation.
Making Cairo work

The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development set broad new goals for family planning and reproductive health. The resources available to fund these much needed programmes, however, are much smaller than was originally calculated. To divide the limited budgets for the maximum health impact, likely resource flows need to be set against the cost of various family planning and reproductive health interventions. Preliminary analysis suggests that selection of cost-effective delivery of family planning services would still meet much of the need for family planning, and that some progress could be made towards improved control of sexually transmitted diseases.
Long-Term Planning and Decision-Making Among Midlife and Older Gay Men and Lesbians

This article examines the issues of long-term planning and decision-making among midlife and older gay men and lesbian caregivers. Using a qualitative methodology, in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 gay men and lesbians over 50. Participants reported on their long-term planning and decision-making processes. All but four persons reported that their partners had advance directives, but the majority of caregivers did not have advance directives for themselves. Concerns about informal family dynamics and interactions with formal systems were expressed, along with financial and ownership issues. It is important for social workers to intervene across individual, organizational, and community levels in advocacy for the needs of older gay men and lesbian clients.
Dopaminergic 3H-agonist receptors in rat brain. New evidence on localization and pharmacology.

Abstract Recent methodological advances have allowed the reliable assay of specific dopaminergic 3H-agonist binding sites in rat striatum. Successful assay depends on preincubation of tissue homogenates at 37°C; this results in a guanyl nucleotide-sensitive and dopamine (DA)-dependent increase in the density (B max ) of 3H-agonist binding. Lesions of DA terminals or drugs which deplete DA levels prevent the preincubation-induced increase in binding, and this effect is completely reversible by preincubation with added DA. In contrast, kainic acid lesions irreversibly reduce 3H-agonist binding. It is concluded that the evidence supporting the existence of presynaptic “D-3” sites is artefactual and that 3H-DA binding sites are more likely related to post-synaptic receptors. 3H-DA binding involves two sites, one of which has pharmacologic properties similar to D-1 receptors, whereas the other resembles D-2 receptors. The affinity of 15 antipsychotic drugs for 3H-haloperidol binding sites was highly correlated (R=0.94) with their inhibitory potency at a subset of 3H-DA binding sites. However, the inhibition of 3H-DA binding by antipsychotic drugs was noncompetitive. These findings can be explained by an allosteric model, whereby antagonists bind to a site different from but allosterically linked to a high-affinity 3H-DA binding site.
Incidence of fin erosion and anomalous fishes in a polluted stream and a nearby clean stream

This study documents the incidence of fin erosion and deformed (anomalous) fishes in two adjacent midwestern streams, north-central Ohio, U.S.A. Clear Fork stream flows through agricultural and forested areas, whereas Rocky Fork stream flows through industrialized Mansfield, Ohio, where it receives industrial and municipal effluents. Four sites on each stream were sampled monthly for fishes during July, 1982 through August, 1983. Incidence of fin erosion was significantly greater (P 0.05). Incidence of fin erosion in fish from polluted sites was inversely correlated with water temperature (P 0.05). Nevertheless, total incidence of deformed fishes at polluted sites (0.53%) seemed to be elevated compared to total incidence at unpolluted sites (0.28%). Comparative studies between fish from streams suspected of being polluted and fish from nearby unpolluted, reference streams should be used to define effects of chronic pollution.
Comparison of Direct Instruction and Discrete Trial Teaching on the Curriculum-based Assessment of Language Performance of Students with Autism

There is limited research demonstrating direct instruction (DI) as an effective language intervention for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and developmental disabilities (DD). Existing research has shown that instruction using partial implementation of DI programs resulted in student learning (Ganz, 2007) and instruction using whole lessons resulted in positive instructional effects for students with ASD and DD (Ganz, 2007). However, it is not known whether DI is more effective than other language interventions. The purpose of this study was to compare DI to an established intervention, discrete trial teaching. Thirteen students with ASD or participated in the study and data were collected using curriculum-based assessment. An independent samples t-test indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in student performance for the group who received DI. Results and their implications will be discussed.
Use of gel-casting to prepare HPLC monolithic silica columns with uniform mesopores and tunable macrochannels

Monolithic silica columns with defined mesopore and a tunable macropore structure were fabricated by the gel-casting of ordered mesoporous silica precursors.
The Impact of Mouse Passaging of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains prior to Virulence Testing in the Mouse and Guinea Pig Aerosol Models

Background It has been hypothesized that the virulence of lab-passaged Mycobacterium tuberculosis and recombinant M. tuberculosis mutants might be reduced due to multiple in vitro passages, and that virulence might be augmented by passage of these strains through mice before quantitative virulence testing in the mouse or guinea pig aerosol models. Methodology/Principal Findings By testing three M. tuberculosis H37Rv samples, one deletion mutant, and one recent clinical isolate for survival by the quantitative organ CFU counting method in mouse or guinea pig aerosol or intravenous infection models, we could discern no increase in bacterial fitness as a result of passaging of M. tuberculosis strains in mice prior to quantitative virulence testing in two animal models. Surface lipid expression as assessed by neutral red staining and thin-layer chromatography for PDIM analysis also failed to identify virulence correlates. Conclusions/Significance These results indicate that animal passaging of M. tuberculosis strains prior to quantitative virulence testing in mouse or guinea pig models does not enhance or restore potency to strains that may have lost virulence due to in vitro passaging. It is critical to verify virulence of parental strains before genetic manipulations are undertaken and comparisons are made.
Proteomic Analysis of Integral Plasma Membrane Proteins

Efficient methods for profiling proteins integral to the plasma membrane are highly desirable for the identification of overexpressed proteins in disease cells. Such methods will aid in both understanding basic biological processes and discovering protein targets for the design of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Avoiding contamination by subcellular organelles and cytosolic proteins is crucial to the successful proteomic analysis of integral plasma membrane proteins. Here we report a biotin-directed affinity purification (BDAP) method for the preparation of integral plasma membrane proteins, which involves (1) biotinylation of cell surface membrane proteins in viable cells, (2) affinity enrichment using streptavidin beads, and (3) depletion of plasma membrane-associated cytosolic proteins by harsh washes with high-salt and high-pH buffers. The integral plasma membrane proteins are then extracted and subjected to SDS−PAGE separation and HPLC/MS/MS for protein identification. We used the BDAP method to p...
Three-phase unity-power-factor star-connected switch (VIENNA) rectifier with unified constant-frequency integration control

A unified constant-frequency integration (UCI) controller for a three-phase star-connected switch three-level rectifier (VIENNA) with unity-power-factor-correction is proposed. One of advantages of this rectifier is that the switch voltage stress is one half of the total output voltage. The proposed control approach is based on one-cycle control and features great simplicity and reliability: all three phases will be power factor corrected using one or two integrators with reset along with several flips-flops, comparators and logic and linear components. It does not require multipliers to scale the current reference according to the output power level as used in many other control approaches. In addition, the input voltage sensor is eliminated. It employs constant switching frequency modulation that is desirable for industrial applications. The proposed controller can operate by sensing either the inductor currents or the switching currents. If the switching currents are sensed, the cost is further reduced because switching currents are easier to sense comparing with inductor currents. The proposed approach is supported by experimental results.
Promoting patient cooperation with exercise programs. Linking research, theory, and practice

Managing patient-nonadherence with prescribed exercise regimens is not an uncommon task for physical therapists working with individuals with arthritis. Yet little is known about the factors that influence patient adherence with exercise programs or therapist knowledge and use of theoretically based adherence management techniques. Survey research with physical therapists and patients was used to provide a database for further insight into the barriers experienced in implementing exercise programs in clinical practice. In this paper, we suggest that the cooperation with an exercise regimen is mediated by the patient's belief system and requires a therapeutic process of mutual inquiry, problem solving, and negotiation between the therapist and patient. Concepts from research, theory, and practice are integrated into a Process Model for Patient-Practitioner Collaboration for use in clinical practice.
Acoustic myography compared to electromyography during isometric fatigue and recovery.

This study compared the acoustic (RMS-AMG) to electromyographic (RMS-EMG) signal, median frequency of EMG power spectrum (Fm), and quadriceps torque during isometric fatiguing contraction (FC) and recovery. Seven subjects were tested for strength (MVC) and then, on separate days, maintained 20%, 40%, or 80% MVC to exhaustion followed by MVC testing at regular intervals. Throughout FC, RMS-EMG significantly (P < 0.05) increased and Fm significantly (P < 0.05) decreased during all trials; RMS-AMG significantly (P < 0.05) increased only during the 20% and 40% trials. During recovery, MVC and RMS-EMG recovered most slowly after the 20% trial and most rapidly after the 80% trial; Fm and RMS-AMG recovered by 90 seconds after all trials. RMS-AMG reflects RMS-EMG during low but not high levels of FC. Recovery of strength is most depressed following FC at lower relative levels of torque. We conclude that RMS-AMG behaves differently than RMS-EMG, torque, and Fm during FC and recovery. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Challenges in developing research-based Web design guidelines

Formulating design guidelines from research results can potentially offer two advantages: available empirical knowledge is distilled into a readily accessible form, and practitioners can judge the authority of those guidelines for themselves, but a case history demonstrates that challenges confront the developer of research-based guidelines for Web site design, First, few studies of people using the Web have yet been conducted. Second, when the process of guideline development is not systematic and designed to control bias and subjectivity, the resulting guidelines can be compromised. This paper describes the issues and problems that one guideline developer encountered and suggests a guideline development process that might resolve them.
Clinical pharmacy services in oncology clinics

Objective. To describe the implementation and evaluation of clinical pharmacy services in ambulatory hematology-oncology clinics.Design. A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the clinical pharmacist in outpatient clinics.Setting. The clinical pharmacist is available to patients and health care professionals for drug consultations in adult hematology-oncology, cancer pain, surgical oncology, pediatric hematology-oncology, and gastrointestinal tumor clinics. The pharmacist also participates in a cancer outreach program in an off-site rural clinic.Interventions. A chart review, pharmacy patient profile review, and patient interview were performed to obtain medication histories. Drug-related problems were identified, resulting in interventions. Patient outcomes were evaluated by follow-up phone calls or by patient interviews on the following clinic visit.Results. A total of 211 interventions were documented within 36 days. The most frequent activity was patient counseling followed by the...
A Behavioral Intervention for Reducing Postcompletion Errors in a Safety-Critical System

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effectiveness of a theoretically motivated intervention at reducing procedural errors in train yard operations, where making these errors could be costly or life-threatening. BACKGROUND: A widespread and persistent memory error that people commit on a daily basis is the postcompletion error (PCE), that is, forgetting to complete the final step of a procedural task in which the final step occurs after completion of the task goal. PCEs occur in the railroad industry when a locomotive conductor changes the direction of a rail switch but fails to report this change. This particular error could contribute to unsafe conditions as another train traveling on the same track could derail. Although training can help reduce some of the factors leading to unsafe conditions on the rail, research has demonstrated that PCEs are different from other errors of omission in that they cannot be eliminated through training, which makes them a difficult problem to address. METHOD: Twenty-eight undergraduates completed train yard tasks within a mid-fidelity simulator used in commercial rail operations for training. Each participant received the behavioral intervention in one block and no intervention in another. Specifically, participants were required to perform an additional task designed to remind participants of the postcompletion step. RESULTS: Our intervention significantly reduced PCE rates in the context of train yard operations, on average by 65%. CONCLUSION: We discuss implications of the effectiveness of our intervention at reducing train yard accidents and how this outcome can contribute to the literature on the cause of PCEs. APPLICATION: In cases such as the railroad industry, where redesigning technology is prohibitive, our behavioral intervention is an effective alternative for significantly reducing PCEs. Language: en
Optimal control of general functional-differential inclusions of neutral type

This paper deals with optimal control problems for dynamical systems governed by general functional differential inclusions of neutral type with endpoint constraints. First, a sequence of well-posed discrete optimization problems is constructed by developing discrete approximations to neutral functional-differential inclusions. Second, necessary optimality conditions for discrete optimization problems of neutral type are established using advanced generalized differentiation tools of variational analysis. Finally, necessary optimality conditions of both Euler-Lagrange and Hamiltonian types for the original problem are derived from passing to the limit in necessary optimality conditions of discrete-time systems.
Molecular Dynamics Analysis of High Electric Pulse Effects on Bilayer Membranes Containing DPPC and DPPS

A molecular dynamics simulator is used to analyze the electrically driven membrane effects in cells due to ultrashort pulses. Time dependence of nanopore formation at membranes in response to a high-intensity (~ 100 kV/cm), nanosecond electric pulse is probed. The results show that the nanosized pores could typically be formed in ~ 5-6 ns. Phosphatidylserine externalization is shown to occur as a pore-mediated event, rather than a translocation across an energy barrier. The predictions are in a very good agreement with the recent experimental data, including the preference for "anode-side" initiation. Finally, it is shown that the molecular system could potentially evolve from an initial multiple nanopore state to a system dominated by larger sized pores
In Vivo desensitization of an obsessive cancer fear

Abstract In a severe case of an obsessive cancer fear of acute onset, attempts at standard desensitization did not lead to any decrease of anxiety in relation to physical contact with the patient's breasts. A change to in vivo breast stimulation in the relaxed state produced rapid progress.
A Reversible Syndrome of Acute Renal Failure Associated with Renin-Angiotensin Inhibitor Drugs

Background and Aims: Previous studies indicate that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) cause acute renal failure (ARF) in patients with diabetes, hypertension, and congestive heart failure. Volume depletion is a determining factor for ACEI-induced ARF. This study presents a syndrome of reversible ARF accompanied by hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, and anemia associated with ACEI and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Methods: Data were collected from a total of 12 patients; 11 were admitted to the hospitals and 1 as an outpatient. Six patients had uncontrolled diabetes. Four of these patients also had hypertension. Eight patients (67 percent) received lisinopril; 4 (33 percent) received ARB. Diuretics were the commonest accompaniment. They showed moderate to severe azotemia. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ranged from 9.3 to 32.2 ml/min with an average eGFR of 14.1 ml/min. Six patients (50 percent) had moderate to severe hyperkalemia. All but 2 patients had metabolic acidosis, and 6 patients (50 percent) were anemic. ACEI or ARB and diuretics were discontinued in all patients, and all hospitalized patients were treated with normal saline or bicarbonate infusion, erythropoietin, and 9-alpha fluodrohydrocortisone, as required. Results: Azotemia reversed and renal function improved to normal or near normal in 8 patients (67 percent). One of these patients required one-time hemodialysis. Renal function returned to baseline or better in 3 patients with preexisting renal insufficiency. Renal function improved in 1. All hyperkalemic patients became normokalemic, and all but 1 recovered from metabolic acidosis. Anemia also improved. Conclusions: This novel observation substantiates our previous observation and further reiterates that ACEI/ARB causes a syndrome of reversible azotemia, hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, and anemia. Discontinuance of ACEI/ARB and diuretics—and treatment with a combination of bicarbonate infusion, 9-alpha fluodrohydrocortisone (Florinef®), and exogenous erythropoietin—hasten recovery from this syndrome. Continuation of a diuretic but without ACEI/ARB doesn’t hinder renal function recovery.
Preoperative optimization and risk assessment

Because most older adults with hip fractures require urgent surgical intervention, the preoperative medical evaluation focuses on the exclusion of the small number of contraindications to surgery, and rapid optimization of patients for operative repair. Although many geriatric fracture patients have significant chronic medical comorbidities, most patients can be safely stabilized for surgery with medical and orthopedic comanagement by anticipating a small number of common physiologic responses and perioperative complications. In addition to estimating perioperative risk, the team should focus on intravascular volume restoration, pain control, and avoidance of perioperative hypotension.
ADP-Based Optimal Adaptive Waveform Selection in Cognitive Radar

The problem of adaptive waveform selection can be viewed as a problem of stochastic dynamic programming. However, the computational cost of solution of optimality equations is very high as a result of large state variable space. So far few suitable scheduling algorithms have been proposed. To account for the aboved shortcoming, we can use approximate dynamic programming (ADP) to solve adaptive waveform selection problem. The scheduling algorithm we proposed can minimize the time taken to detect new targets, detect these targets in accordance with importance, and minimize the use of radar resources. Meanwhile we have a lower computational cost compared with the traditional algorithms. Finally, the whole paper is summarized.
Game theory and mathematical economics: a theoretical computer scientist's introduction

There has been recently increasing interaction between game theory and, more generally, economic theory, with theoretical computer science, mainly in the context of the Internet. The paper is an invitation to this important frontier.
Profile of Ospemifene in the Breast

Vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA) is a chronic, progressive medical condition prevalent among postmenopausal women, which produces symptoms such as dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, and vaginal irritation. Currently, the only prescription options are systemic and vaginal estrogen therapies that may be limited by concerns about long-term safety and breast cancer risk. Ospemifene is a tissue-selective estrogen agonist/antagonist (a selective estrogen receptor modulator) recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of dyspareunia, a symptom of VVA, due to menopause. Ospemifene, the first nonestrogen oral treatment for this indication, may provide an alternative to treatment with estrogen. Animal models with ospemifene suggest an inhibitory effect on growth of malignant breast tissue, but animal data cannot necessarily be extrapolated to humans. Clinical trials, including 3 long-term studies assessing the overall safety of ospemifene, support that ospemifene is generally well tolerated, with beneficial effects on the vagina, neutral effects on the breast, and minimal effects on the endometrium.
The use of simulation modeling to evaluate the mechanisms responsible for the nutritional benefits of food-for-protection mutualisms

In some mutualisms, a plant or insect provides a food resource in exchange for protection from herbivores, competitors or predators. This food resource can benefit the consumer, but the relative importance of different mechanisms responsible for this benefit is unclear. We used a colony-level simulation model to test the relative importance of increased larval production, increased worker foraging and increased worker survival for colony growth of fire ants, Solenopsis invicta, that consume plant-based foods. Increased food for larvae had the largest effect on colony growth of S. invicta followed by decreased worker mortality. Increased foraging rate had a small effect in the simulation model but data from a small laboratory experiment and another published study suggest that plant-based foods have little or no effect on foraging rates of S. invicta. Colony growth steadily increased the longer plant-based food was available and colonies were most responsive to plant-based food in the early summer (i.e., June). Our results demonstrate that population level simulation modeling can be a useful tool for examining the ecology of mutualistic interactions and the mechanisms through which species interact.
Increased mortality persists in an adult drug-resistant epilepsy prevalence cohort

Objective To investigate the cumulative probability of death and the standardised mortality ratio (SMR) in an adult drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) population. Methods In two separate centres during 2003–2006, we identified a total of 433 patients with DRE defined as at least one seizure per month and failure of at least two antiepileptic drugs. These patients were subsequently followed for a total follow-up of 6 years. We examined the cumulative probability of death, using Kaplan-Meier methodology, and the SMR based on mortality data from the Social Security Death Index. Clinical predictors of death were evaluated using Cox regression analysis. Results The cumulative probability of death was 8.7% (95% CI 6.2% to 12.1%) at 6 years. The overall SMR was 2.4 (95% CI 1.7 to 3.3). It was 3.1; 95% CI 2.0 to 4.6 in subjects with remote or progressive aetiology and 1.7; 95% CI 0.8 to 2.8 in subjects with unknown aetiology. The SMR was significantly increased in those with a known remote aetiology (2.5; 95% CI (1.4 to 3.8)). Older age at enrolment and symptomatic generalised epilepsy syndrome were significant predictors of death. Discussion Mortality is increased in this drug-resistant population; largely driven by those with a known epilepsy aetiology. The increased mortality remains even after exclusion of those with a progressive aetiology. Previous studies of incident epilepsy cohorts revealed increased mortality that declines to near-normal levels after the first several years, but in our DRE cohort, mortality remains elevated despite a median duration of epilepsy of 25 years at study entry.