cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement of small forces

Measurement of Weak Forces in Physics Experiments. By V. B. Braginsky and A. B. Manukin, edited by David H. Douglass. Pp. 153. (University of Chicago Press: Chicago and London, 1977.) $10; £7.
Plasminogen activator activities in the ventral and dorsolateral prostatic lobes of aging fischer 344 rats

Plasminogen activator (PA) activities were measured in extracts of ventral and dorsolateral prostate lobes in Fischer 344 (F344) rats of different ages. Ventral prostates of 30-month-old animals demonstrated widespread epithelial atrophy, some foci of inflammation, in-traglandular atypical hyperplasia and/or adenocarcinoma, and a marked increase in PA activities compared with younger animals. Both low- and high-molecular-weight forms of activator were found in zymograms and both forms of activator showed an increase at 30 months. However, the PA activity of the aged rats showed a greater resistance to amiloride inhibition, suggesting a greater relative increase in the tissue-type activator activity than that of urokinase. These changes were not observed in the dorsolateral prostate. The lobe-specific changes in activator activity appear related to dysplasia/neoplasia and not aging.
Antioxidant Properties of Milled-Rice Co-Products and Their Effects on Lipid Oxidation in Ground Beef

Antioxidant properties were analyzed for methanolic extracts of rice seeds, milled-rice co-products, and other selected plant seeds, including cottonseed, soybean, and corn. Values of antioxidant effectiveness ranged from 45% to 86%, based on 100% activity at no change in color during the β-carotene bleaching test. A correlation exists between the antioxidant activity and the total phenolic content of the rice ingredient extracts (r 2 = 0.81). When selected extracts were applied to ground beef, the lipid oxidation was inhibited by, in relative effectiveness, rice hull > rice bran > brown rice. When applied directly to the beef, both defatted brown rice flour and rice bran strongly retarded the lipid oxidation.
Systolic tree implementation of data structures

Systolic tree architectures are presented for data structures such as stacks, queues, dequeues, priority queues, and dictionary machines. The stack, queue, and dequeue have a unit response time and a unit pipeline interval. The priority queue also has a unit response time, but the pipeline interval is 2. The response time and pipeline interval for the dictionary machine are O(log n) and O(1), respectively, where n is the number of data elements currently residing in the tree. In each node of the tree, the mechanism for controlling the transmission and distribution of data is finite state. This feature makes the designs presented here suitable for VLSI. If there are n data elements in the data structure, the depth of the tree is O(log n). >
Comparing Polychlorinated Biphenyl Concentrations and Patterns in the Saginaw River Using Sediment, Caged Fish, and Semipermeable Membrane Devices

Three techniques of assessing bioavailable polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Saginaw River, MI, were compared: sediments, caged fish, and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). SPMDs and caged fish were placed in the river for 28 days at five sites where sediments were also sampled. The samples were analyzed for PCB congeners to determine concentrations and patterns. Total PCB concentrations ranged from 33 to 280 ng/g (dry weight) in sediments, 46 to 290 ng/g (wet weight) in caged fish, and 77 to 790 ng/g in SPMDs. Previously reported rates of PCB accumulation by SPMDs were used to estimate aqueous concentrations from the PCB concentrations detected in the SPMDs. Sediment-water partition coefficients were used to estimate aqueous PCB concentrations from sediment. Steady-state bioconcentration factors and depuration rate constants were used to estimate dissolved PCB concentrations from caged channel catfish. Relative PCB patterns from the SPMDs, caged fish, and sediment were compared using principal components analysis. SPMD and sediment samples provide complementary information. Sediments reflect long-term accumulation and weathering, while SPMDs integrate water concentrations only during the sampling period. Because of higher water solubilities of lower-chlorinated PCBs these predominate in the SPMDs as compared to in the fish and sediments. Contaminant profile differences between caged fish and SPMDs are likely due to metabolism and depuration of certain PCB congeners by fish.
The art of the hypothetical

Abstract Developing economies need a strong knowledge sector to participate fully in the contemporary world economy. Yet many aspects of their public policies or culture can inhibit the knowledge-based enterprise. In a recent Canadian experiment, prototypical entrepreneurial ventures were used to identify legal, institutional, cultural, and policy barriers to the creation of high value-added, knowledge intensive enterprises. This approach appears to have wider value in assessing the ability of private companies, government laboratories, and similar institutions to create and nurture new ventures.
Limited joint mobility in diabetes mellitus of childhood: natural history and relationship to growth impairment.

We report a prospective study of the recently recognized complication of limited joint mobility in childhood diabetes, summarizing data collected over the seven years after the initial description of this sign. Of 309 patients, ranging in age from 1 to 28 years, 30% had limited joint mobility. No race or sex influence on expresiion of limited joint mobility was found; its appearance was temporally more influenced by age than by duration of diabetes. Of 142 patients with diabetes onset before puberty and of longer than three years' duration, 74 had limited joint mobility. Disproportionate distribution of height percentiles for age characterized this entire group, but those with limited joint mobility had four times the skewing of those without (74 vs 37% below the twenty-fifth percentile). The presence or absence of thyroid microsome or islet cell antibodies did not relate significantly to limited joint mobility. Diabetes control, assessed subjectively by clinical estimation and objectively by hemoglobin A 1 levels, was generally unrelated to the joint findings. For patients with diabetes duration less than five years, there was a significant association between hemoglobin A 1 and limited joint mobility, but the variability in values explained by this association was small (11%).
Use of furosemide in the evaluation of renal tubular acidosis

Plutot que l'epreuve de charge acide, dangereuse en cas d'hyperkaliemie dans le type 4 de l'acidose tubulaire renale, une mesure moins dangereuse de la capacite d'acidification urinaire peut utiliser le furosemide dans ce but. L'utilite du test de stimulation par le furosemide est illustree par l'observation d'un garcon de 10 semaines ne d'une mere en alcalose metabolique due a des vomissements psychogenes et lui-meme suffisant d'un pseudohypoaldosteronisme avec acidose tubulaire renale type 4 et hyperkaliemie
An efficient and robust particle-localization algorithm for unstructured grids

An efficient and robust particle-localization algorithm for unstructured grids is presented. Given a particle position and the cell containing that position, the algorithm determines the cell which contains a nearby position. The algorithm is based on tracking a particle along its trajectory by computing the intersections of the trajectory and the cell faces. Compared to previously published particle-localization algorithms, the new algorithm has several advantages. First, it can be applied to grids consisting of arbitrary polyhedral cells. Second, the algorithm is not limited to small particle displacements. Third, the interaction of particles with boundaries is dealt with correctly and naturally. Fourth, the algorithm is more efficient than other published algorithms. A modified version of the present algorithm is also presented which can detect inconsistencies and take appropriate corrective action. With these modifications, the computational cost becomes comparable to other published algorithms which cannot detect inconsistencies without resorting to fall-back algorithms such as exhaustive or Octree search.
Understanding Peace Consciousness and Its Language: Unfinishedness

This article will attempt to elucidate the concept of the language of peace as a medium through which people can express their peace consciousness. First, peace consciousness is explored in some depth. It is suggested that unfinishedness, dialogicality, and interdependence are aspects of human nature that should be honored to achieve peace consciousness. This article then reviews unfinishedness and the ways it may translate into corresponding verbal and non-verbal elements of the language of peace such as modal verbs and adjuncts, the future-oriented conditional/suppositional mood, ellipses and question marks, the softening of Extreme Case Formulations, and living silence.
Regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis by nitrogen in TTG1-GL3/TT8-PAP1-programmed red cells of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Nitrogen nutrients can regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this investigation, we report the nitrogen regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis activated by TTG1–GL3/TT8–PAP1 in red pap1-D cells. To understand the mechanisms of nitrogen regulation, we employed red pap1-D cells and wild-type cells (as a control) to examine the effects of different nitrogen treatments on anthocyanin biosynthesis. In general, the higher concentrations of ammonium and high total nitrogen tested (e.g., 58.8 and 29.8 mM total nitrogen consisting of NH4NO3 and KNO3) reduced the levels and molecular diversity of anthocyanins; in contrast, the lower concentrations of ammonium and total nitrogen conditions (e.g., 9.4 mM KNO3 and the depletion of nitrogen) increased the levels and molecular diversity of anthocyanins. An expression analysis of the main regulatory and pathway genes showed that at conditions of higher concentrations of ammonium and total nitrogen, the expression levels of PAP1 and TT8 decreased, but the expression levels of LBD37, 38 and 39, three negative regulators of anthocyanin biosynthesis, increased. In addition, the expression levels of the main pathway genes decreased. In contrast, at conditions of lower concentrations of ammonium and total nitrogen, the expression levels of PAP1, TT8 and the main pathway genes increased, whereas those of LBD37, 38 and 39 decreased. These results show that nitrogen regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in red cells undergoes a mechanism by which nitrogen controls the expression of genes encoding both main components of the TTG1–GL3/TT8–PAP1 complex and negative regulators. Based on these observations, we propose that the regulatory mechanism of nitrogen may occur via two pathways to control the expression of genes encoding positive and negative regulators in red pap1-D cells.
On the asymptotic properties of the group lasso estimator for linear models

We establish estimation and model selection consistency, prediction and estimation bounds and persistence for the group-lasso estimator and model selector proposed by Yuan and Lin (2006) for least squares problems when the covariates have a natural grouping structure. We consider the case of a fixed-dimensional parameter space with increasing sample size and the double asymptotic scenario where the model complexity changes with the sample size.
Pulmonary (venous) air embolism

Abstract Pulmonary (venous) air embolism is a catastrophe which may occur under a variety of circumstances in medical practice. It must be distinguished from arterial air embolism. Our studies in the experimental animal have shown that important factors in determining whether death or survival will occur are: (1) the amount of air which gains admission to the circulation, (2) the speed with which it enters, (3) the position of the body at the time of the embolic accident, and (4) the efficacy of the respiratory excretory mechanism. Death, when it occurs, is due to circulatory obstruction resulting from an air trap in the right ventricular outflow tract. Displacement of the air trap by turning the body into the left lateral position may be life saving even after the right ventricular contractions have become feeble and death seems imminent. Pulmonary air embolism provides a valuable means of studying experimentally the effects of acute right ventricular dilatation produced by obstruction. The rapid and profound electrocardiographic changes which occur under these circumstances include an excellent demonstration of the effects of myocardial ischemia, and also, in some instances, the demonstration of right ventricular conduction defects. The observations of Bayley and LaDue concerning the ischemia-injury pattern are confirmed.
P‐93: Experiments on Thermal Induced Effect of PBS for LCoS System

ITRI/OES has developed a system for the measurements of LCoS systems. This equipment is designed to be an experimental toolkit for the study of different optical elements under different configurations and environments. Using this apparatus we performs several thermal experiments on a PBS. The experimental results indicate that the thermal effects on the PBS are conspicuous. An optimal working temperature is required for the PBS to get a good image quality. Experiments on stress birefringence effects of the PBS are also made.
Prolongation of Cardiac Allograft Survival by a Novel Population of Autologous CD117+ Bone Marrow-Derived Progenitor Cells

Autologous CD117(+) progenitor cells (PC) have been successfully utilized in myocardial infarction and ischemic injury, potentially through the replacement/repair of damaged vascular endothelium. To date, such cells have not been used to enhance solid organ transplant outcome. In this study, we determined whether autologous bone marrow-derived CD117(+) PC could benefit cardiac allograft survival, possibly by replacing donor vascular cells. Autologous, positively selected CD117(+) PC were administered posttransplantation and allografts were assessed for acute rejection. Although significant generation of recipient vascular cell chimerism was not observed, transferred PC disseminated both to the allograft and to peripheral lymphoid tissues and facilitated a significant, dose-dependent prolongation of allograft survival. While CD117(+) PC dramatically inhibited alloreactive T cell proliferation in vitro, this property did not differ from nonprotective CD117(-) bone marrow populations. In vivo, CD117(+) PC did not significantly inhibit T cell alloreactivity or increase peripheral regulatory T cell numbers. Thus, rather than inhibiting adaptive immunity to the allograft, CD117(+) PC may play a cytoprotective role in prolonging graft survival. Importantly, autologous CD117(+) PC appear to be distinct from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) previously used to prolong allograft survival. As such, autologous CD117(+) PC represent a novel cellular therapy for promoting allograft survival.
Distinctive kinetics and substrate specificities of plant and fungal tRNA ligases.

Plant and fungal tRNA ligases are trifunctional enzymes that repair RNA breaks with 2′,3′-cyclic-PO4 and 5′-OH ends. They are composed of cyclic phosphodiesterase (CPDase) and polynucleotide kinase domains that heal the broken ends to generate the 3′-OH, 2′-PO4, and 5′-PO4 required for sealing by a ligase domain. Here, we use short HORNA>p substrates to determine, in a one-pot assay format under single-turnover conditions, the order and rates of the CPDase, kinase and ligase steps. The observed reaction sequence for the plant tRNA ligase AtRNL, independent of RNA length, is that the CPDase engages first, converting HORNA>p to HORNA2′p, which is then phosphorylated to pRNA2′p by the kinase. Whereas the rates of the AtRNL CPDase and kinase reactions are insensitive to RNA length, the rate of the ligase reaction is slowed by a factor of 16 in the transition from 10-mer RNA to 8-mer and further by eightfold in the transition from 8-mer RNA to 6-mer. We report that a single ribonucleoside-2′,3′-cyclic-PO4 moiety enables AtRNL to efficiently splice an otherwise all-DNA strand. Our characterization of a fungal tRNA ligase (KlaTrl1) highlights important functional distinctions vis a vis the plant homolog. We find that (1) the KlaTrl1 kinase is 300-fold faster than the AtRNL kinase; and (2) the KlaTrl1 kinase is highly specific for GTP or dGTP as the phosphate donor. Our findings recommend tRNA ligase as a tool to map ribonucleotides embedded in DNA and as a target for antifungal drug discovery.
The U.S. Destinations of Contemporary Mexican Immigrants

Although U.S. Latinos continue to be concentrated in particular places, many have shifted to “new” locations around the country. This study employs data from the Mexican Migration Project (MMP107) to examine the relationship between individual-level characteristics and diverse U.S. destinations chosen by post-1965 Mexican immigrants. Multinomial logistic regression analyses confirm the importance of human capital, social networks, and temporal context in directing immigrants to particular U.S. sites. The findings also suggest that employing a typology of U.S. destinations is useful for understanding the spatial distributions of contemporary Mexican immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma of the breast, simulating gynecomastia: diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may uncommonly present with distant metastasis in the absence of a documented neoplasm in the liver. The authors herein describe the case of a 60-year-old man with cirrhosis who developed unilateral enlargement of the breast and a subareolar mass. This problem was clinically thought to represent gynecomastia, but a mammary fine-needle aspiration biopsy demonstrated a malignant epithelial neoplasm composed of large granular amphophilic cells. Bile pigment was visualized in the tumor on aspirate smears and cell block preparations; immunostains showed reactivity for cytokeratin and alpha-fetoprotein, but there was no positivity for epithelial membrane antigen, gross cystic disease fluid protein-15, vimentin, estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, or S100 protein. These results indicated a diagnosis of metastatic HCC, which was subsequently confirmed by computed tomography of the abdomen. © 1992 wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sildenafil citrate does not affect cardiac contractility in human or dog heart

SUMMARYObjective: This study evaluated whether sildenafil citrate, an oral treatment for erectile dysfunction and a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) with modest vasodilating properties, affects cardiac contractility in vitro.Research design and methods: Slices of freshly obtained human (n = 2) or dog (n = 3) atrial appendage were suspended in organ baths containing Krebs—Ringer bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.4, 37°C) bubbled continuously with 95% O2 and 5% CO2, and isometric tension was recorded using a Gould physiograph. Contractions were elicited by 1-Hz electric pacing. After 15min of equilibration, 1\M sildenafil was added to the bath, followed 15min later (human and dog) by 5|iM epinephrine, an inotropic agent, and 10min later (dog) by 88|iM 3-isobutyl-1 -methylxanthine(IBMX), a nonselective PDE inhibitor. In a separate experiment, cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels and PDE, protein kinase G, and protein kinase A activities were determined.Results: Addition of 1 |iM sildenafil to i...
Viscoelastic Properties of an Epoxy Resin during Cure

The cure dependent relaxation modulus of an epoxy resin was investigated over the entire range of cure extent. Parallel plate rheometry was used to measure the material behavior below the gel point of the epoxy network. Creep testing in three-point bend was used for specimens cured past gelation. All data were converted to the stress relaxation modulus for comparison of the material behavior among the various cure states and between the two experimental techniques. The data were used to develop a practical model for predicting the cure dependence of the relaxation modulus throughout cure under varying processing conditions.
Contemporary immigration policy orientations among dominant-group members in Western Europe

Predictors of immigration policy attitudes were investigated among members of receiving societies in large national probability samples in 15 Western European countries. We found that a considerable proportion of the variation in immigration policy orientations toward outgroups could be explained by self- and group interests and independent measures of perceived threat. Self-reported racism also contributed independently and significantly to these policy positions. It was concluded that a general framework of proximal self- and group-position indicators (Allport, 1954), perceived threat, and prejudice/racism was useful in predicting the immigrant policy orientations of dominant members of receiving societies across Western Europe. The meaning of these findings for future research on immigration policy orientations across, and especially within, European countries is discussed.
The Biology of Human Play.

Pellegrini and Smith call for the biological study of human physical activity play. Such study will reveal, among other things, whether physical activity play represents an example of performance-dependent development during a sensitive period.
A Bio-Inspired Cochlear Heterodyning Architecture for an RF Fovea

We discuss the use of cochlear models for spectrum analysis at radio frequencies. We describe performance characteristics of such models, including noise, dynamic range, and frequency resolution. We show that the addition of phase information improves frequency estimation as compared to the use of amplitude information alone. In particular, the use of both amplitude and phase information in a novel nonlinear bio-inspired center-surround coincidence-detection stage simultaneously improves frequency estimation and implements a lowpass-to-bandpass transformation on cochlear outputs. In order to further improve frequency estimation we propose a novel wireless receiver architecture that is a broadband generalization of narrowband heterodyning systems commonly used in radio. We term this architecture cochlear heterodyning. It exploits the efficiency of cochlear spectrum analysis to perform parallel, multi-scale analysis of wideband signals and can be constructed with cochlea-like traveling-wave structures. When combined with our prior work on an RF cochlea, such architectures may be useful in cognitive radios for creating RF foveas that select narrowband components present within wideband, but spectrally sparse signals. The operation of RF foveas is analogous to how the eye foveates on narrow but interesting portions of an image. Analogies between spectrum analysis and the process of successive-subranging analog-to-digital conversion illustrate how successively finer frequency resolution is achieved in an RF fovea. Finally, we show that RF foveas can be used in feedback loops to perform interference cancellation.
Surfactant enhanced removal of PCE in a partially saturated, stratified porous medium

Dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), such as perchloroethylene (PCE), pose a significant threat to the environment, specifically to our drinking water present in aquifers. In many instances, a DNAPL will become trapped and form pools on top of confining layers while migrating through the vadose zone. Residual DNAPL and DNAPL pools form sources of long term contamination, which are difficult to remove by classical pump-and-treat remediation. A physically simulated PCE spill into a large, two-dimensional flow container, packed with a fine sand layer surrounded by coarse sand, was therefore studied in this work. A water table was maintained near the bottom of the flow container, such that the coarse sand just below the fine layer was unsaturated, but the bottom of the fine sand layer was at or near saturation. A PCE spill was applied at the center of the porous medium's surface and allowed to redistribute until static equilibrium was reached. The porous medium was then flushed with a surfactant solution (Triton X-100, 4.0% by volume), using the same application configuration as for the spill, while simultaneously extracting solution at one or more locations at the bottom of the porous medium. Effluent samples were analyzed for PCE concentrations. Volumetric water and PCE content values were determined several times at a number of locations by means of dual-energy gamma radiation measurements. The coarse sand in the upper portion of the porous medium was cleaned rapidly by the surfactant flushing. Removal of PCE from the fine sand layer, however, proved to be more difficult because most of the surfactant solution bypassed the PCE. Lateral spreading of the surfactant plume occurred near the saturated/nearly saturated zones in the fine and coarse sand. This lateral spreading, unfortunately, allowed for solubilized PCE, the concentration of which was enhanced by micelle formation, to move into regions previously uncontaminated. The pumping configuration was subsequently changed in an attempt to force the surfactant solution through the entire fine layer, i.e., to hydraulically control the surfactant flushing, while simultaneously increasing the amount of solubilized PCE.
patS Minigenes Inhibit Heterocyst Development of Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120

The patS gene encodes a small peptide that is required for normal heterocyst pattern formation in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. PatS is proposed to control the heterocyst pattern by lateral inhibition. patS minigenes were constructed and expressed by different developmentally regulated promoters to gain further insight into PatS signaling. patS minigenes patS4 to patS8 encode PatS C-terminal 4 (GSGR) to 8 (CDERGSGR) oligopeptides. When expressed by P(petE), P(patS), or P(rbcL) promoters, patS5 to patS8 inhibited heterocyst formation but patS4 did not. In contrast to the full-length patS gene, P(hepA)-patS5 failed to restore a wild-type pattern in a patS null mutant, indicating that PatS-5 cannot function in cell-to-cell signaling if it is expressed in proheterocysts. To establish the location of the PatS receptor, PatS-5 was confined within the cytoplasm as a gfp-patS5 fusion. The green fluorescent protein GFP-PatS-5 fusion protein inhibited heterocyst formation. Similarly, full-length PatS with a C-terminal hexahistidine tag inhibited heterocyst formation. These data indicate that the PatS receptor is located in the cytoplasm, which is consistent with recently published data indicating that HetR is a PatS target. We speculated that overexpression of other Anabaena strain PCC 7120 RGSGR-encoding genes might show heterocyst inhibition activity. In addition to patS and hetN, open reading frame (ORF) all3290 and an unannotated ORF, orf77, encode an RGSGR motif. Overexpression of all3290 and orf77 under the control of the petE promoter inhibited heterocyst formation, indicating that the RGSGR motif can inhibit heterocyst development in a variety of contexts.
Challenges and architectural approaches for authenticating mobile users

This paper casts an architectural eye at existing work on security and privacy in mobile computing. Specifically, it focuses on authentication as it leads up to access control from two points of view: servicer providers granting access to users, and users granting access to service providers. The paper identifies three classes of problems addressed by existing work. Then, it teases out architectural patterns being used to address those problems, their assumptions, properties, and remaining challenges.
The relationship of depression to medical illness in an older community population.

Abstract This report is on medically associated depression in a depressed sample of middle-aged and older community subjects. The 50 subjects represent 14 men and 36 women who met RCD criteria for depression (major, minor, and intermittent). Depression tended to be recurrent and to be quite lengthy. Thirty-eight were taking at least one medication, 19 of which could have been depressogenic. Forty-four had at least one medical diagnosis or problem determined by the history or the laboratory data. It was determined that depression was associated with a medical illness in 22, with a medication in four, and with both an illness and medication in seven. Thus, out of the 50, 52% were having depressions definitely or probably associated with a medical illness or medicine. Medical illness and medication use are commonly present in the elderly population, are often unrecognized, and can contribute to depression.
The First Russian Diplomat in America: Andrei Dashkov on the New Republic

(1997). The First Russian Diplomat in America: Andrei Dashkov on the New Republic. The Historian: Vol. 60, No. 1, pp. 39-58.
Latest Developments In Wear Prediction of Strip Seals Through Conductance

This paper discusses the latest developments in the ability to predict wear of strip seals in turbine engines. Caulked-in continuous strip seals are a common form of seals employed on both the rotating and stationary components of gas and/or steam turbines. These seals perform best when minimum clearances are achieved during the steady state operation of the turbine, and when a sharp tip profile can be maintained. However, interference between the stationary and rotating seal components often occurs during transient periods of startup, shutdown and hot re-start. In the case of the strip seals, this leads primarily to wear of the strip, which increases leakage and reduces turbine performance. The aim of this paper is to present the latest findings showing that thermal conductivity through the strip and into the body mass in which it is caulked are the primary factors in controlling seal wear within the range of materials and parameters tested. This paper will discuss the latest experimental validation of a model that uses thermal conductivity and geometry of the strip in predicting wear during high speed rubs against a proprietary material.
Micromechanical IBARs: Tunable High- $Q$ Resonators for Temperature-Compensated Reference Oscillators

This paper presents a unique capacitive micromechanical resonator and oscillator architecture for temperature-compensated frequency references. The I-shaped bulk acoustic resonator (IBAR) is designed to have excellent electrical tunability for temperature compensation (TC) and dynamic frequency control. High quality factor and low motional resistance are also achieved. The applicable range of frequencies is 1-30 MHz, in which quality factors exceeding 100 000 have been measured. Resonator metrics, including the electrostatic tuning coefficient, normalized dynamic stiffness, and relative dynamic compliance, are introduced. A small-signal resistance in the resonator is reported and explained. This unexpected resistance is beneficial for oscillator functionality over a large temperature range. The interface IC, inclusive of all blocks for sustaining oscillations and TC, is also presented. A two-chip 6-MHz oscillator with a temperature stability of 39 ppm over 100°C is demonstrated. The interface IC consumes 1.9 mW.
Practice‐based learning and improvement

Workplace learning is becoming increasingly important in all fields. While workplace learning in medicine, also called practice-based learning and improvement (PBLI) is not new, understanding how it works and how it fits with an individual physician's continuing professional development is new. In this article, we describe seven issues associated with PBLI and then pose questions for reflections, as continuing medical education (CME) planners consider working with PBLI.
Active suppression of noise in a 3-D structural acoustic chamber with curved walls

The mathematical model which describes the active boundary point control of acoustic pressure in a 3-D chamber is considered, in which the inherent control operator has a high degree of unboundedness. This unboundedness of the control operator is far from an academic contrivance, inasmuch as this operator quantity mathematically describes the point control actions employed in current smart material technology. The modeling partial differential equation (PDE) is a coupling of the wave equation with a system of shallow shell equations, and as such the PDE manifests both hyperbolic and parabolic-like dynamics. Furthermore, the coupling is accomplished through boundary "traces", a circumstance which greatly complicates the analysis. The present work culminates in the construction and rigorous justification of an optimal feedback control which minimizes a given quadratic index, and which can be represented by a suitable Riccati equation. Despite the unboundedness of the controls, it is shown that the resulting "gain" operator is bounded. In developing the theory, a careful analysis of the hyperbolic component of the dynamics is undertaken, an analysis which considers the propagation of singularities and optimal trace behavior of the solutions. This scrutiny of the hyperbolic part is followed by an invocation of those techniques derived for the treatment of analytic systems, those techniques applied here to the shell component of the PDE.
A randomized trial comparing autologous chondrocyte implantation with microfracture.

To The Editor: I read the recently published article “A Randomized Trial Comparing Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation with Microfracture. Findings at Five Years” (2007;89:2105-12) by Knutsen et al. While the results are enlightening, I am concerned that they may not be generalizable to the full spectrum of patients who present with cartilage injuries. The authors reported that the overall two and five-year mean scores did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups. However, subanalyses of the two-year follow-up results demonstrated that treatment of smaller lesions with …
Brix refractometry in serum as a measure of failure of passive transfer compared to measured immunoglobulin G and total protein by refractometry in serum from dairy calves.

A series of trials were conducted to evaluate Brix refractometry (Brix %) for the assessment of failure of passive transfer (FPT) in dairy calves compared to: (1) serum IgG (reference standard) when measured by radial immunodiffusion (RID) or a turbidometric immunoassay (TIA), and (2) serum total protein refractometry (STP). For the serum samples tested with TIA, STP, and Brix % (n = 310; Holstein calves), the median concentrations were 21.3 g/L IgG, 58 g/L STP, and 9.2%, respectively. For the serum samples tested with RID, STP and Brix % (n = 112; Jersey calves), the mean concentrations were 38 g/L IgG, 68 g/L STP, and 10.2%, respectively. For samples tested with only Brix % and STP (n = 265; Holstein calves), median STP and Brix % were 50 g/L STP and 8.5%, respectively. Correlations between Brix % and RID, and between Brix % and TIA were equal (r = 0.79, respectively). Brix % and STP were positively correlated (r = 0.99). Brix % estimated serum IgG concentrations determined by TIA and RID (r(2) = 0.63, 0.62, respectively). When FPT was defined as serum IgG < 10 g/L, Brix % ≤ 8.5% showed optimal sensitivity (100%) and specificity (89.2%) to predict FPT. At the same IgG cut-point, an STP value of ≤ 52 g/L showed a similar sensitivity (100%) and specificity (80.4%) to predict FPT. Brix refractometry predicted successful transfer of passive immunity in dairy calves, but further evaluation as a diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of FPT is warranted.
Laboratory evaluation of partially-acetylated esters of oleandomycin.

SummaryTriacetyloleandomycin, the fully acetylated derivative of the antibiotic oleandomycin, is hydrolyzed in vivo to at least 6 partially-acetylated esters. In vitro, in vivo, and serum concentration studies in the beagle dog and man are presented for these biologically active esters of triacetyloleandomycin.
A Substructure Based Parallel Linear Solution Framework for Structural Systems Having Multiple Loading Cases

This study presents a substructure based parallel linear solution framework for the static analysis of linear structural engineering problems having multiple loading cases. The framework is composed of two separate programs designed to work on PC Clusters having the Windows operating system. The first program is responsible for creating the optimum substructures for the parallel solution and first partitions the structure in such a way that the number of substructures is equal to the number of processors. Then, the estimated condensation time imbalance of the initial substructures is adjusted by iteratively transferring nodes from the substructures with slower estimated condensation times to the substructures with faster estimated condensation times. Once the final substructures are created, the second program starts the solution. Each processor assembles its substructure’s stiffness matrix and condenses it to the interface with other substructures. The interface problem is solved by a parallel variable band solver. After computing the interface unknowns, each processor calculates the internal displacements and element stresses or forces. Examples which illustrate the applicability and efficiency of this approach are also presented. In these examples, the number of processors was varied from one to twelve to demonstrate the performance of the overall solution framework.
A self-consistent approach for determining pairwise interactions that underlie channel activation.

Signaling proteins such as ion channels largely exist in two functional forms, corresponding to the active and resting states, connected by multiple intermediates. Multiparametric kinetic models based on sophisticated electrophysiological experiments have been devised to identify molecular interactions of these conformational transitions. However, this approach is arduous and is not suitable for large-scale perturbation analysis of interaction pathways. Recently, we described a model-free method to obtain the net free energy of activation in voltage- and ligand-activated ion channels. Here we extend this approach to estimate pairwise interaction energies of side chains that contribute to gating transitions. Our approach, which we call generalized interaction-energy analysis (GIA), combines median voltage estimates obtained from charge-voltage curves with mutant cycle analysis to ascertain the strengths of pairwise interactions. We show that, for a system with an arbitrary gating scheme, the nonadditive contributions of amino acid pairs to the net free energy of activation can be computed in a self-consistent manner. Numerical analyses of sequential and allosteric models of channel activation also show that this approach can measure energetic nonadditivities even when perturbations affect multiple transitions. To demonstrate the experimental application of this method, we reevaluated the interaction energies of six previously described long-range interactors in the Shaker potassium channel. Our approach offers the ability to generate detailed interaction energy maps in voltage- and ligand-activated ion channels and can be extended to any force-driven system as long as associated “displacement” can be measured.
Computerized medication monitoring system

A computerized medication monitoring system for alerting and warning of potential adverse drug reactions is described. The system integrates computerized data on each hospital patient (medications, clinical laboratory, blood gas, ECG, ALLERGIES, DIAGNOSIs, etc.) and returns to the pharmacist warning messages and suggestions regarding patient drug therapy. The broad data base allows for nearly complete drug therapy monitoring. When a warning message is received, the pharmacist contacts the physician or nursing staff and explains the potential problem. The system also generates prescription labels and patient drug profiles which are used in a unit dose dispensing system. Five percent of 13,727 patients monitored have had drug alerts. Of these alterts, 44.9% were drug-laboratory contraindications and only 28.9% were drug-drug interactions. Of the 690 alerts received, 77% resulted in the physician changing the patient's therapy.
Future professionals’ perceptions of play and intended practices: the moderating role of efficacy beliefs

ABSTRACTThis study examined whether perceptions of play of future professionals (N = 337) are related to their intent to integrate play into their practices and how their efficacy beliefs moderate the relation between perceptions of play and intended practices. While students with child-related majors were more likely to have stronger perceptions of play, they did not necessarily hold stronger intentions to use play in their practices, thus suggesting a noteworthy discrepancy between their perceptions and intentions. Students’ efficacy beliefs moderate the relationship between perceptions of play and their intended practices; however, an intriguing pattern was observed between high- and low-efficacy holders. The notable difference between participants with high- and low-efficacy beliefs in their intentions suggests the importance of efficacy beliefs in future professionals’ intended practices, as they make instructional and professional decisions in a challenging educational environment. The efficacy be...
Perspective: An easier diagnosis.

The latest iteration of the Rome criteria should improve diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, says Brian E. Lacy.
Body image satisfaction among male military veterans with cancer

Impaired body satisfaction is commonly reported among cancer patients. This study prospectively evaluated body image disturbance among male military veterans with head and neck or colorectal cancer...
Convergence characteristics of the variable projection method for mode extraction

This paper reviews the variable projection method (VPM) for power system modal analysis and analyzes the method's convergence characteristics. The purpose of the VPM and other modal analysis tools is to decompose time series data into damped or undamped sinusoidal components, which provide insights into the dynamics of a measured or simulated disturbance. The paper gives five example cases of modal analysis with VPM, varying in size from a single synthetic signal to a 30-signal, 7-mode data set from simulations of a large actual power system. The analysis provides an initial indication that the VPM often finds a solution close to the matrix pencil initialization, and that the method's convergence speed can vary. While the inner loop of the method, the line search, is robust and quick, the outer VPM loop sometimes converges linearly or slower, requiring hundreds of iterations. Simpler cases with fewer modes tend to have a more consistent convergence, and are less sensitive to the initial modes selected.
Polypharmacy, Infectious Diseases, Sexual Behavior, and Psychophysical Health Among Anabolic Steroid-Using Homosexual and Heterosexual Gym Patrons in San Francisco's Castro District.

ABSTRACTBackground: Limited studies based in England and Australia reported misuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) among homosexual men to enhance body image. Anecdotally, AAS are also being misused by homosexual men in the United States. Since many AAS and certain performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) are administered via injection, this poses a potential vector for the spread of infectious disease in an already at-risk population. Objectives: This study compared and contrasted homosexual and heterosexual male gym clients regarding use of AAS and PEDs, use of alcohol and illicit drugs, seroprevalence of infectious disease, engagement in risky injection practices and sexual behaviors, and presence of psychiatric conditions. Methods: Recruitment and data collection occurred outside four exercise gyms in the San Francisco Castro District area between October 25, 2014 and March 10, 2015. Two hundred and twenty homosexual men and 73 heterosexual men completed the 114-item cross-sectional survey. Results: T...
Mobocratic Algorithms: Could Social Media be a Threat to Democracy?

From the Arab Spring to the 2016 US Elections, politicians, activists, and authoritarian regimes have used social media to influence politics. How much of these global world events were impacted by social media? This talk aims at providing "alternative" perspectives (not facts!) about social media from a witness to how such a powerful tool was used to unite people, and also to tear them apart.
Abstract 60: The ABCG5 ABCG8 Sterol Transporter Opposes Insulin Resistance and Fatty Liver Disease Independent of Phytosterol Accumulation

ABCG5 and ABCG8 form a complex (G5G8) that opposes the absorption of plant sterols, but is also expressed in liver where it promotes the excretion of cholesterol into bile. Hepatic G5G8 is transcriptionally regulated by a number of factors implicated in the development of insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, we hypothesized that G5G8 may influence the development of diet-induced obesity phenotypes independently of its role in opposing phytosterol absorption. G5G8 knockout (KO) mice and their wild type (WT) littermates were challenged with plant sterol free low fat (LF) or high fat (HF) diets. Weight gain and the rise in fasting glucose were accelerated in G5G8 KO mice following HF feeding. HF-fed G5G8 KO mice had increased liver weight, hepatic lipids and plasma ALT compared to WT controls. Consistent with the development of NAFLD, macrophage infiltration, the number of TUNEL positive cells and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines were also increased in G5G8 KO mice, but there was no evidence of fibrosis. Hepatic lipid accumulation was associated with increased mRNA levels for PPARγ and PPARγ target genes, but not genes involved in lipogenesis. Phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eiF2α) and expression activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and tribbles 3 (Trb3) were elevated in HF-fed G5G8 KO mice, a pathway that links the unfolded protein response (UPR) to the development if insulin resistance through inhibition of protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation. However, the remaining components of the UPR were unchanged. Conclusion: G5G8 plays a previously unappreciated role in the development of insulin resistance and fatty liver disease by opposing hepatic accumulation of cholesterol and phosphorylation of eiF2α.
Food security in a remittance based economy

We interviewed 395 subsistence farming households from Chitwan, Nepal in order to identify the impact of remittances and other explanatory variables on child, adult, and household food security. The highest category of the IV - ordered probit regression models with cluster robust standard errors indicated that the food security status of households, adults and children was explained by gender and age of household head, adoption of conservation agricultural technology, number of fruit trees, and income from agricultural and livestock sources. Additional variables affecting only children’s food security were the adoption of hybrid rice or maize varieties and the wage income or salary earned within the district, whereas an additional variable affecting only household and adult food security was the wage income earned outside the district. Households receiving international remittances were more food secure than those households that did not receive such remittances.
Time-Domain Astronomy with the Fermi GBM

The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) is an all-sky monitoring instrument sensitive to energies from 8 keV to 40 MeV. Over the past 8 years of operation, the GBM has detected over 240 gamma-ray bursts per year and provided timely GCN notices with localization to few-degree accuracy for follow-up observations. In addition to GRBs, Galactic transients, solar flares, and terrestrial gamma-ray flashes have also been observed. In recent years we have also been searching the continuous GBM data for electromagnetic counterpart to astrophysical neutrinos and gravitational wave events, as these are believed to be associated with gamma-ray bursts. With continuous data downlink every few hours and a temporal resolution of 2 microseconds, GBM is well suited for observing transients and supporting EM follow-up in the era of multi-messenger astronomy.