cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Paper Microfluidics for POC Testing in Low-Resource Settings

Paper microfluidics is a subarea of microfluidics in which porous materials are used to create devices. Advantages of paper microfluidics include fluid transport via capillary forces, so that external pumping equipment is not necessary, and the use of less expensive materials than those commonly used in conventional microfluidic devices. Paper microfluidics enables the development of fully disposable devices that are appropriate for use in even the lowest-resource settings, and the potential for high impact improvement to human health. In this chapter, we first discuss the paper microfluidic device fabrication processes of materials selection, fluidic boundary definition, and reagent patterning. Next, we discuss tools development for manipulating fluids in paper microfluidic devices. Then, we describe specific medical applications with discussion of three promising paper microfluidic devices. Finally, we close with a general discussion of challenges in the translation of paper microfluidic devices from the lab to the field.
Wait a minute! A fast, Cross-VM attack on AES.

In cloud computing, efficiencies are reaped by resource sharing such as co-location of computation and deduplication of data. This work exploits resource sharing in virtualization software to build a powerful cache-based attack on AES. We demonstrate the vulnerability by mounting Cross-VM Flush+Reload cache attacks in VMware VMs to recover the keys of an AES implementation of OpenSSL 1.0.1 running inside the victim VM. Furthermore, the attack works in a realistic setting where different VMs are located on separate cores. The modified flush+reload attack we present, takes only in the order of seconds to minutes to succeed in a cross-VM setting. Therefore long term co-location, as required by other fine grain attacks in the literature, are not needed. The results of this study show that there is a great security risk to OpenSSL AES implementation running on VMware cloud services when the deduplication is not disabled.
A 53-Year-Old Woman with Proximal Limb Weakness and Marked CK Elevation

Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy is a type of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. It is characterized by subacute, progressive, symmetric, and proximal limb weakness, marked serum creatine kinase (CK) elevation, myofiber necrosis on muscle biopsy with diffuse or multifocal myofiber upregulation of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC1) but no or minimal interstitial lymphocytic infiltrates, and association with anti-3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) or anti-signal recognition particle (SRP) autoantibody in a subset of patients. Here we present a case of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy associated with anti-SRP autoantibody, which is severe and refractory to immunosuppressive therapy.
RELATIVE QUIESCENCE OF EXUDATIVE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION AFTER RESOLUTION OF POSTINJECTION ENDOPHTHALMITIS.

Purpose:To evaluate alterations in treatment burden and course of exudative age-related macular degeneration in patients who contracted endophthalmitis from intravitreal anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections.Methods:Retrospective study at the University of Pittsburgh Medical
An examination of attentional control on posttraumatic stress symptoms and problematic alcohol use

Abstract Trauma-exposed individuals, specifically those with higher posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), are at elevated risk of developing alcohol-related problems. One mechanism via which PTSS may contribute to problematic alcohol use is poor attentional control (AC). AC theory suggests that increases in PTSD-related distress will reduce AC, which could then yield greater problematic alcohol use. An alternative path suggests poor AC amplifies PTSS, thereby promoting alcohol abuse. To date, no research has simultaneously evaluated these two pathways. Trauma exposed participants (N = 339) completed self-report measures on trauma related symptoms, AC, and alcohol use. Cross-sectional analyses tested direct effects of PTSS and AC on problematic alcohol use as well as indirect effects of PTSS on alcohol use via AC and AC on alcohol use via PTSS. Results revealed AC mediated the relationship between PTSS and problematic alcohol use, however PTSS did not mediate the relationship between AC and alcohol use. Current results demonstrate specificity for AC as a mediator in the relationship between PTSS and alcohol use. Future work is needed to determine if the observed statistical mediation effects extend to inform causal models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and AUD comorbidity, and if intervening on AC mitigate PTSD and AUD symptomology.
Detecting multiple DLAs per spectrum in SDSS DR12 with Gaussian processes

ABSTRACT We present a revised version of our automated technique using Gaussian processes (GPs) to detect damped Lyman α absorbers (DLAs) along quasar (QSO) sightlines. The main improvement is to allow our GP pipeline to detect multiple DLAs along a single sightline. Our DLA detections are regularized by an improved model for the absorption from the Lyman α forest that improves performance at high redshift. We also introduce a model for unresolved sub-DLAs that reduces misclassifications of absorbers without detectable damping wings. We compare our results to those of two different large-scale DLA catalogues and provide a catalogue of the processed results of our GP pipeline using 158 825 Lyman α spectra from SDSS data release 12. We present updated estimates for the statistical properties of DLAs, including the column density distribution function, line density (dN/dX), and neutral hydrogen density (ΩDLA).
Perceived Training Needs of Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments who Work with Students from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds

According to the latest American Community Survey, America's population is more culturally diverse than ever before (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006). In 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau indicated that the nation's minority population had reached 100.7 million people, a difference of 2.4 million from the previous year's report. Hispanics were reported to be the largest minority group, constituting approximately 44 million individuals. The second-largest minority group was African Americans, consisting of 40.2 million, followed by Asians (14.9 million), American Indian and Alaska Natives (4.5 million), and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders (1 million). The changes in the school population of the United States are similar to those reported for the population of the country as a whole. Over the past several years, the number of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are educated in America's classrooms has increased tremendously. In its 2007 report to the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) stated that 42% of students who were enrolled in public schools, from kindergarten through secondary school, were from minority groups. Most of the growth occurred in urban schools. NCES also indicated that the number of students who spoke a language other than English at home was higher among Asian and Hispanic students. Data from the field of visual impairment are similar in composition to those of education in general. The Data Accountability Center (DAC) has thorough information on the number of students with low-incidence disabilities, aged 6-21, who were receiving services during fall 2007. It reported that in the United States, the population of students with visual impairments (that is, those who are blind or have low vision) (DAC, 2009) consisted of 58.9% white non-Hispanics; followed by the biggest minority group, Hispanics (18.6%); then black non-Hispanics (17.1%); Asians or Pacific Islanders (4.1%); and American Indians or Alaskan Natives (1.3%). Given the data reported by NCES and DAC on how the student population in U.S. schools is changing, teachers of students with visual impairments and orientation and mobility (OM Milian & Erin, 2001; Milian & Ferrell, 1998), there is a paucity of research on educators' needs for training to provide high-quality services. A review of the literature indicated a shortage of information on this topic and the fact that the majority of educators in the field of visual impairment have not received training to respond appropriately to the changes in U. …
Giant resonances in 24 Mg and 28 Si from 240 MeV 6 Li scattering

Elastic and inelastic scattering of 240 MeV $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ particles from $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$ and $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$ were measured with the MDM spectrometer. Optical potential parameters for $^{6}\mathrm{Li}+^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$ and $^{6}\mathrm{Li}+^{28}\mathrm{Si}$ scattering systems were obtained by fitting elastic scattering with two different folding model potentials as well as $W\text{\ensuremath{-}}S$ potentials. $E0\text{\ensuremath{-}}E3$ giant resonance strength distributions for $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$ and $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$ were obtained. $E0$ strength corresponding to ${106}_{\ensuremath{-}24}^{+34}%$ of the EWSR was identified in $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$ and ${80}_{\ensuremath{-}20}^{+35}%$ was found for $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$ between ${E}_{x}=8.0$ to 40.0 MeV.
Reanalysis of the association between reduction in long-term PM2.5 concentrations and improved life expectancy.

Background Much of the current evidence of associations between long-term PM2.5 and health outcomes relies on national or regional analyses using exposures derived directly from regulatory monitoring data. These findings could be affected by limited spatial coverage of monitoring data, particularly for time periods before spatially extensive monitoring began in the late 1990s. For instance, Pope et al. (2009) showed that between 1980 and 2000 a 10 μg/m3 reduction in PM2.5 was associated with an average 0.61 year (standard error (SE) = 0.20) longer life expectancy. That analysis used 1979-1983 averages of PM2.5 across 51 U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) computed from about 130 monitoring sites. Our reanalysis re-examines this association using modeled PM2.5 in order to assess population- or spatially-representative exposure. We hypothesized that modeled PM2.5 with finer spatial resolution provides more accurate health effect estimates compared to limited monitoring data. Methods We used the same data for life expectancy and confounders, as well as the same analysis models, and investigated the same 211 continental U.S. counties, as Pope et al. (2009). For modeled PM2.5, we relied on a previously-developed point prediction model based on regulatory monitoring data for 1999-2015 and back-extrapolation to 1979. Using this model, we predicted annual average concentrations at centroids of all 72,271 census tracts and 12,501 25-km national grid cells covering the contiguous U.S., to represent population and space, respectively. We averaged these predictions to the county for the two time periods (1979-1983 and 1999-2000), whereas the original analysis used MSA averages given limited monitoring data. Finally, we estimated regression coefficients for PM2.5 reduction on life expectancy improvement over the two periods, adjusting for area-level confounders. Results A 10 μg/m3 decrease in modeled PM2.5 based on census tract and national grid predictions was associated with 0.69 (standard error (SE) = 0.31) and 0.81 (0.29) -year increases in life expectancy. These estimates are higher than the estimate of Pope et al. (2009); they also have larger SEs likely because of smaller variability in exposure predictions, a standard property of regression. Two sets of effect estimates, however, had overlapping confidence intervals. Conclusions Our approach for estimating population- and spatially-representative PM2.5 concentrations based on census tract and national grid predictions, respectively, provided generally consistent findings to the original findings using limited monitoring data. This finding lends additional support to the evidence that reduced fine particulate matter contributes to extended life expectancy.
Double potential step chronocoulometry: Part I. A reexamination of EC kinetic theory including the effects of electrode reactant and product adsorption

Summary Calculation of the theoretical double potential step chronocoulometry working curve (|Qb/Qf| vs. (kτ)1/2) for an irreversible pseudo first-order chemical reaction coupled to a heterogeneous charge transfer process (EC mechanism) by finite difference methods revealed an error in the previously published working curve for this situation. The analytical solution to the mass transport equations for the EC mechanism with double potential step boundary conditions is rederived. The working curve, calculated from this new analytical solution, was in close agreement with the finite difference results. In addition, a theoretical treatment is presented for double potential step chronocoulometry where the effect of electrode reactant and product adsorption on the charge ratio, |Qb/Qf|, both with and without EC kinetic complications, is incorporated. A procedure whereby experimentally determined charge ratios can be corrected for the effects of reactant and product adsorption has been developed.
A Self-Similar Point Process Through Fractal Construction

A self-similar point process is developed by embedding a process with bursty behavior over timescales. This embedding is not arbitrary, but achieved through a model which itself has fractal patterns. This model decomposes the self-similar point process over its timescales in a manner that may be tractable for accurate characterization and control of packet traffic. The limiting behavior of the model is shown to possess the properties of a self-similar point process, namely, bursts of arrivals which have no (intrinsic) timescale. Furthermore, this model leads to efficient synthesis of such a process.
Potentiating Interactions of Gastric Stimulants on 14C Aminopyrine Accumulation by Isolated Canine Parietal Cells

Interactions between secretagogues have been examined by using [14C]aminopyrine accumulation as an index of the response of isolated canine parietal cells to stimulation. Potentiating interactions were found between histamine and gastrin and histamine and carbachol, but not between carbachol and gastrin. When all three agents were present simultaneously, the response was greater than the sum of the three individual responses and satisfied other criteria for a true three-way potentiation. Against this three-way combination, atropine and cimetidine caused 42 ± 4% and 69 ± 7% inhibition, respectively. When both atropine and cimetidine were added to the three-way combination, the response was inhibited by 84 ± 3%, with the residual response equivalent to that produced by gastrin alone. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutyl methyl xanthine (10 μM) markedly potentiated the actions of histamine. At 10-fold higher concentrations, isobutyl methyl xanthine also potentiated the response to carbachol and gastrin; these effects were inhibited by cimetidine, as had been found previously for. the action of isobutyl methyl xanthine alone. Interference with these potentiating interactions may explain the apparent nonspecificity of atropine and cimetidine in vivo. The striking potency of cimetidine in inhibiting all stimulants of acid secretion in vivo may be explained by the observation that histamine is an essential component of potentiating interactions that determine the parietal cell response to other stimulants.
Intraoperative Parathormone Monitoring Mitigates Age-Related Variability in Targeted Parathyroidectomy for Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Preoperative parathyroid localization studies, namely, sestamibi (MIBI) and surgeon-performed ultrasound (SUS), are commonly used for targeted parathyroidectomy (PTX) with intraoperative parathormone monitoring (IPM) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). This study examined age-related variability in abnormal parathyroid gland localization for targeted PTX and the value of IPM across age groups. A retrospective review examined prospectively collected data of 833 patients who underwent targeted PTX guided by IPM. The patients were stratified into three age groups as follows: younger [ 73 years; mean +1 SD) based on an age distribution curve for pHPT. The accuracy, sensitivity, and positive predictive value (PPV) for MIBI, SUS, and IPM were analyzed and compared among age groups. Operative success was defined as eucalcemia for 6 months or longer after PTX, and operative failure was defined as elevated calcium and PTH levels within 6 months after PTX. Of the 833 patients, the youngest group had the highest accuracy and sensitivity for MIBI, SUS, and IPM compared with the older groups (p < 0.05). The accuracy and sensitivity of MIBI and SUS also decreased significantly with increased age (p < 0.05). Within all three age groups, IPM was consistently more accurate and sensitive than SUS or MIBI (p < 0.05). Age can significantly affect the accuracy and sensitivity of MIBI and SUS in targeted PTX for patients with pHPT. Across all age groups, IPM remains more accurate than preoperative localization studies. For the elderly, in whom multiglandular disease appears increased, surgeons should have a lower threshold for conversion to bilateral neck exploration.
Excavation and Removal of Ordnance

This chapter provides some common considerations and methods for removing or exposing ordnance items for on-site demolition. Each site is different. Some of the considerations include safety, thoroughness, time, and cost. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) normally specifies protective requirements. However, they have not become involved with ordnance work; therefore, some interpolation is necessary. For chemical shells that also contain an explosive filler, there is no suitable personal protective equipment (PPE). For UXO, proper protective clothing is necessary. Many new robotic designs are being created. Vehicles looking like the lunar excursion module are common in bomb disposal units. Robotic backhoes and other devices are now in use. Some of the considerations include safety, thoroughness, time, and cost. Recovery of items will become one of the fastest developing areas of technology in future years because of the tremendous number of sites that must be cleaned up. Non-sparking tools such as beryllium–copper alloy shovels and trowels should be used. Plastic or nylon shovels and trowels are better in soft earth because they do not jar the item if they touch it. Excavation techniques can vary widely.
Importància de la recerca amb models animals en el camp de les diferències individuals

Every time is more evidence that between the factors which contribute to the configuration of a certain pattern of behaviour, not only the environmental influences -among them we can include a certain experimental treatment- and the previous history of each subject must be taken into account,but also the interindividual variability, which is an evident factor. The present paper discuss the importance of the research in the field of individual difference and also the great helps that the use of animal models given to this field.
A cost effective upgrade to the DIII-D neutral beam modulator control systems

The DIII-D National Fusion Facility at General Atomics in San Diego has eight neutral beam main power modulator/regulator (ModReg) systems, and six modulators running up to eight gyrotrons. Several improvements to these modulators have been under development, and one such upgrade pertains to the control system in four of the oldest modulator systems. This project is in the prototype test stage of development, and aims to significantly increase reliability and decrease troubleshooting issues while greatly enhancing the user experience and allowing for future upgrades. The intended upgrade will be a “wholesale” drop-in replacement of the original Mod/Reg control system, using commercial off-the-shelf components and open-source products to quickly and inexpensively integrate the much-needed upgrade. The new control system is responsible for 61 I/O signals, five separate timers, interlock management, start-up and shut-down sequencing, as well as human interfacing. Many of these functions were originally handled with analog electronics and relay logic designed and implemented over 34 years ago. A portion of the original design also included cutting edge, at the time, microprocessor technology in the TRANSREX designed modulators, using the Intel 8080, and 8 k UV EPROM chips. Technology has evolved in computing power and entire “systems on a chip” (SoC) have become commonplace and integrated into everyday items. Inexpensive commercial products using SoC's have huge resources of “open source” material and well-developed online communities. We are able to use these to quickly develop a working prototype able to inexpensively replace the entire control system of the TREX Mod/Regs at DIII-D. We have chosen to use the AtMega2560 because it has enough I/O for the complex control system, and it is included on one of the most advanced Arduino boards. This board is still able to directly accept a 0–5 Vdc input signal which is a great advantage in our application thanks to a greater signal-to-noise ratio, as the system will be installed in very close proximity to the High Voltage Tetrode based modulator. On our systems with more modern gyrotron modulators, a programmable logic controller (PLC) has been used. PLCs are a simple and straightforward upgrade, but it is also generally a more costly solution, and can require more physical space. The project discussed in this paper will present details of the chosen microcontroller design, install flexibility, testing, and cost benefit as compared to PLCs.
Dosimetric distribution to tooth-bearing areas in intensity-modulated radiation therapy for head and neck cancer: a pilot study.

Objectives Dosimetric distribution of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to tooth-bearing areas for common head and neck (H&N) cancer sites were analyzed to facilitate minimization of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) risk through preradiation dental treatment planning. Study Design Fifty-four patients received IMRT with prescribed doses ranging from 6000 centigrays (cGy) (adjuvant) to 6930 cGy (primary) to treat base of tongue (BOT), tonsil, larynx, nasopharynx, and hypopharynx cancers. The average maximal radiation dose delivered was recorded in tooth-bearing areas (anteriors, premolars, and first, second, and third molars) of the maxilla and mandible. Results All tooth-bearing areas in laryngeal cancer cases received less than 2500 cGy. Maxillary and mandibular molar regions for BOT, tonsil, and hypopharynx cancers received 5000 cGy or higher. In nasopharynx cancers, maxillary teeth received higher doses than mandibular teeth. Conclusions Among 5 H&N subsites, mandibular molar regions for BOT, tonsil, and hypopharynx cancers received higher IMRT doses on average, posing the greatest ORN risk.
Adnexal masses during pregnancy: accuracy of sonographic diagnosis and outcome

We sought to determine the accuracy of sonographic diagnosis and perinatal outcome in pregnancies with maternal adnexal masses. All patients with a prenatal sonographic diagnosis of an adnexal mass measuring 4 cm or greater beyond 12 weeks of gestation were identified. Only masses associated with live fetuses, for which pathologic follow-up or direct visualization of the ovary was available at a single hospital, were included in the study. Sonographic evaluation of the pelvic mass was done prospectively at the time of the original scan and characterized on the basis of morphologic criteria. One hundred and twenty-five pregnant patients 21 to 47 years old with 131 lesions formed the study group. The pathologic diagnoses included 40 dermoids, 15 endometriomas, 14 cysts, 13 cystadenomas, nine tubal cysts, four fibroids, and one ovarian cancer. Six patients had complex pathologic lesions and five had unusual diagnoses. Twenty-four patients had normal ovaries on follow-up examination. Sonographically benign appearing lesions were seen in 89.3% of patients. Ninety-five percent of dermoids, 80% of endometriomas, and 71% of simple cysts were characterized correctly. Fourteen of the 131 lesions (10.7%) had sonographic characteristics suggestive of malignancy. One of these 14 patients (7%) had ovarian cancer. This represents a 0.8% malignancy rate among the total number of lesions. Twenty-four of the 125 patients (19%) underwent second trimester laparotomy at the discretion of their managing obstetricians, with no pregnancy losses. One patient had acute torsion of a dermoid at 39 weeks. Prenatal sonography can accurately characterize maternal adnexal lesions.
A member of the highly conserved FWL (tomato FW2.2‐like) gene family is essential for soybean nodule organogenesis

A soybean homolog of the tomato FW2.2 gene, here named GmFWL1 (Glycine max FW2.2-like 1), was found to respond strongly to inoculation with the nitrogen-fixing symbiotic bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum. In tomato, the FW2.2 gene is hypothesized to control 30% of the variance in fruit weight by negatively regulating cell division. In the present study, the induction of GmFWL1 expression in root hair cells and nodules in response to B. japonicum inoculation was documented using quantitative RT-PCR and transcriptional fusions to both beta-glucuronidase (GUS) and green fluorescent protein (GFP). RNAi-mediated silencing of GmFWL1 expression resulted in a significant reduction in nodule number, with a concomitant reduction in nuclear size and changes in chromatin structure. The reduction in nuclear size is probably due to a change in DNA heterochromatinization, as the ploidy level of wild-type and RNAi-silenced nodule cells was similar. GmFWL1 was localized to the plasma membrane. The data suggest that GmFWL1 probably acts indirectly, perhaps through a cellular cascade, to affect chromatin structure/nuclei architecture. As previously proposed in tomato, this function may be a result of effects on plant cell division.
Effect of managed care and financing on practice constraints and career satisfaction in primary care.

BACKGROUND The shift away from third party insurers to risk-sharing arrangements affecting care management and clinicians could be the most fundamental change in the health care system. Analysis was undertaken to study how managed care, practice setting, and financial arrangements affect physicians9 perceived impact on their practice. METHODS Data were taken from the Community Tracking Study (CTS) physician survey, a national survey of active physicians in the United States fielded between August 1996 and August 1997. Survey instruments were completed by 7,146 primary care physicians in internal medicine (2,355), family practice (3,168), and pediatrics (1,623). The dependent variables are career satisfaction and perceived limitations and pressures on time spent with patients, clinical freedom, income, and continuity. To study the unique effect of financing and gatekeeping arrangements and practice setting, the dependent variables were regressed on gatekeeping, practice revenue, individual physician compensation, practice setting, specialty, age-group, sex, international medical graduate, board certification, and recent change in practice ownership. RESULTS Total managed care revenue, or individual physician incentives, have no effect on career satisfaction and relatively limited effects on time pressure, income pressure, or patient continuity. In contrast, primary care gatekeeping has a highly significant adverse effect on the same outcome measures. After controlling for financial factors, demographic characteristics, and training differences, physicians in solo and 2-physician practices are significantly more likely to be dissatisfied with their medical career, more likely to report no clinical freedom, and more likely to feel income pressure than physicians in group practices, staff model HMOs, medical schools, or other settings. CONCLUSION Physicians in solo and 2-physician practices were least satisfied with their careers and reported more constraints on their clinical freedom and income than physicians in other settings. Physicians in group practices or staff model HMOs are more likely to report time pressure than physicians in solo or 2-physician practices. Family practice falls between internal medicine (less satisfied, more practice constraints) and pediatrics (more satisfied, fewer practice constraints).
Unobtrusive Monitoring of Divided Attention in a Cognitive Health Coaching Intervention for the Elderly

Assessment of cognitive functionality is an important aspect of care for elders. Unfortunately, few tools exist to measure divided attention, the ability to allocate attention to different aspects of tasks. An accurate determination of divided attention would allow inference of generalized cognitive decline, as well as providing a quantifiable indicator of an important component of driving skill. We propose a new method for determining relative divided attention ability through unobtrusive monitoring of computer use. Specifically, we measure performance on a dual-task cognitive computer exercise as part of a health coaching intervention. This metric indicates whether the user has the ability to pay attention to both tasks at once, or is primarily attending to one task at a time (sacrificing optimal performance). The monitoring of divided attention in a home environment is a key component of both the early detection of cognitive problems and for assessing the efficacy of coaching interventions.
Age Effects on Alpha‐1‐Acid Glycoprotein Concentration and Imipramine Plasma Protein Binding

Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein concentration and imipramine binding to plasma proteins were determined in a cohort of 69 subjects, aged 20-97 years. No subject had evidence of acute or chronic inflammatory disease or malignancy, or was receiving tricyclic antidepressant therapy. Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein concentration increased significantly with increasing age (r = 0.28; P less than 0.02). Imipramine percentage not bound to plasma proteins was negatively related to alpha-1-acid glycoprotein concentration (r = -0.30; P less than 0.01); however, there was no relationship between subject age and percentage imipramine unbound. Though alpha-1-acid glycoprotein concentration increases with advancing age, because only a small proportion of the variability is explained by age, with other undefined factors being more important, drugs predominantly bound to alpha-1-acid glycoprotein such as imipramine may not have a clinically or statistically significant change in protein binding with increasing age in the absence of overt clinical illness.
On deriving the dose–effect relation of an unknown second component: An example using buprenorphine preclinical data

Buprenorphine, like many other drugs, displays a biphasic dose–response relation (‘hormesis’), viz., its antinociceptive effect in some preclinical models increases up to some dose level (often achieving 100% effect) and decreases at high-doses. A decreasing component was evident in the tail-flick tests described here, occurring in both the mouse and the rat. While the mechanism of dose-related decline in antinociceptive effect, when observed, might be related to nociceptin/orphanin-FQ, the precise mechanism remains unknown. Regardless of the mechanism, the values of this dose-related decline yield data that can be used to calculate the dose–effect relation of the decreasing (unknown second) component. The calculation, which uses the same concept of dose equivalence that underlies additivity in isobolographic analysis, was employed here from tail-flick data obtained in mouse and rat. The derived dose–effect curves of the second component, though differing in efficacy between mouse and rat, displayed a very notable similarity. This novel technique offers possible insight into the dual low-dose (analgesic), high-dose (addiction medication) uses of buprenorphine.
Triglycine sulfate (TGS) crystals for pyroelectric infrared detecting devices

Triglycine sulfate (TGS) is one of the most comprehensively studied ferroelectric materials for infrared detecting devices. The discovery of new materials with more attractive properties together with a growing requirement for uncooled thermal detectors, having better performance than the thermistor bolometers, has resulted in considerable attention to pyroelectric devices making them the most widely studied of infrared detectors. In recent years, the study of pure and doped TGS crystals has increased because of their promise in various devices. These devices have a number of important characteristics, such as low cost, low power requirement, and a wide operating range of temperature and frequency response. Pyroelectric infrared detectors find their use in military systems, astronomical telescopes, earth observation cameras, laser beam characterization, environmental analyses monitors, medical vidicons, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) instrumentation. The paper describes the research done at Alabama A&M University on the growth of TGS crystals for infrared detectors. Also results of infrared detectors fabricated from TGS crystals grown in space on the First International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-1) and Spacelab-3 (SL-3) are described.
Flash pulmonary edema: association with hypertension and reoccurrence despite coronary revascularization.

Abstract Background The sudden development of acute (flash) pulmonary edema may be an indication for coronary angiography and revascularization. However, the prevalence of coronary artery disease in these patients and the outcome after revascularization are not known. Methods and Results We evaluated 46 patients with an initial presentation of flash pulmonary edema requiring hospitalization and obtained up to 3 years of follow-up in 45 patients. There were 22 men and 24 women, 44 to 84 years of age (67 ± 10 years, mean ± SD). Systolic blood pressure on admission was 194 ± 38 mm Hg. Twenty-four patients required intubation and mechanical ventilation. Left ventricular ejection fraction was >40% in 27 of 46 patients. Thirty-eight patients underwent coronary angiography; 33 had obstructive coronary artery disease. One other patient had regional wall motion abnormalities. Nineteen patients underwent coronary revascularization surgically and 8 percutaneously. Overall, flash pulmonary edema reoccurred in one half of the patients. Of the 19 patients who underwent coronary revascularization, by 6 months there was 1 death and 9 patients had been hospitalized with recurrent pulmonary edema. Conclusions Many patients with flash pulmonary edema have preserved systolic left ventricular function and coronary artery disease. Flash pulmonary edema frequently reoccurs in association with marked systolic hypertension, even after coronary revascularization. This suggests that control of hypertension is important and that coronary revascularization may not be adequate to prevent reoccurrence of flash pulmonary edema. (Am Heart J 2000;140:451-5.)
Bipropellant droplet combustion in the vicinity of the critical point

Bipropellant droplet supercritical steady combustion temperature measurements in zero gravity near critical point, comparing high and low pressures models for ambient gas solubility
Hydrogenesis in hyperthermophilic microorganisms: Implications for biofuels

Hydrothermal microbiotopes are characterized by the consumption and production of molecular hydrogen. Heterotrophic hyperthermophilic microorganisms (growth T(opt)> or =80 degrees C) actively participate in the production of H(2) in these environments through the fermentation of peptides and carbohydrates. Hyperthermophiles have been shown to approach the theoretical (Thauer) limit of 4 mol of H(2) produced per mole of glucose equivalent consumed, albeit at lower volumetric productivities than observed for mesophilic bacteria, especially enterics and clostridia. Potential advantages for biohydrogen production at elevated temperatures include fewer metabolic byproducts formed, absence of catabolic repression for growth on heterogeneous biomass substrates, and reduced loss of H(2) through conversion to H(2)S and CH(4) by mesophilic consortia containing sulfate reducers and methanogens. To fully exploit the use of these novel microorganisms and their constituent hydrogenases for biohydrogen production, development of versatile genetic systems and improvements in current understanding of electron flux from fermentable substrates to H(2) in hyperthermophiles are needed.
Sequential vs. Parallel Synthesis for Dual-Stage Hard Disk Drives

Modern hard disk drives (HDDs) use single-input, dual-output (SIDO) controllers to control a dual-stage plant consisting of a large-stroke voice coil motor (VCM) and a short-stroke, high-bandwidth piezoelectric microactuator (PZT). Various methods have been proposed to perform the SIDO controller design; among the most commonly used approaches is μ-synthesis. While μ-synthesis generates stable controllers for the overall system, it does not guarantee stability of the VCM-only loop in the presence of microactuator saturation or failure. One approach to the DISO design that maintains VCM-only stability is the sequential design of VCM and PZT controllers. This paper presents a systematic study of sequential vs. parallel design. Designs are evaluated by comparing values of μ obtained for equivalent designs between the sequential and parallel approaches. The circle criterion is used to test stability of the system under saturation. Performance of sequential and parallel designs in shock events are tested in simulation.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A novel tricomplex of BRCA1, Nmi, and c-Myc inhibits c-Myc-induced human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (hTERT) promoter activity in breast cancer

Germ-line mutations in BRCA1 predispose individuals to breast and ovarian cancers. We observed a novel endogenous association of BRCA1 with Nmi (N-Myc-interacting protein) in breast cancer cells. Nmi was found to interact specifically with BRCA1, both in vitro and in vivo, by binding to two major domains in BRCA1, amino acid residues 298–683 and 1301–1863. Homodimerization of Nmi enhanced its association with BRCA1. Nmi functioned as an adaptor molecule to recruit c-Myc to a complex containing Nmi·c-Myc·BRCA1. Because c-Myc can activate transcription of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (hTERT), we addressed the role of BRCA1 and Nmi in modulating c-Myc-induced hTERT promoter activity. Although Nmi or BRCA1 alone had no effect on c-Myc induced hTERT promoter activity, BRCA1 together with Nmi significantly inhibited this c-Myc induced hTERT promoter activity (∼75% inhibition). Two mutated forms of BRCA1, a missense (A1708E) and a nonsense (Y1853X) that have been identified in familial breast cancers, associated with Nmi and c-Myc but failed to suppress c-Myc-induced hTERT promoter activity. These results demonstrate a novel pathogenic mechanism whereby mutations in BRCA1, via a novel transcription factor complex containing BRCA1, c-Myc, and Nmi, impair inhibition of c-Myc-induced hTERT promoter activity, which allows sustained activation of telomerase, a key enzyme in carcinogenesis.
On transient analysis of fluid-structure systems

Abstract Finite element procedures for the dynamic analysis of fluid-structure systems are presented and evaluated. The fluid is assumed to be inviscid and compressible and is described using an updated Lagrangian formulation. Variable-number-nodes isoparametric two- and three-dimensional elements with lumped or consistent mass idealization are employed in the finite element discretization, and the incremental dynamic equilibrium equations are solved using explicit or implicit time integration. The solution procedures are applied to the analysis of a number of fluid-structure problems including the nonlinear transient analysis of a pipe test.
Evaluation of Protective Eyewear Coverage

In the development of protective eyewear for military operations, conflicting constraints impact design considerations. Since protection is a key parameter, it is important to be able to quantify the impact of different levels of coverage of the visual field. The objective of this project was to merge two different techniques — (a) methodology to verify visual field coverage and (b) ray trace model for pupil accessibility — to produce a coverage metric to represent retinal accessibility to damage from lasers. Data were collected from nine subjects and a computer model was used to determine the proportion of incident rays that could access the pupil. Overall, the combined result provides an efficient methodology to assist when design trade-offs are required in the evaluation of protective spectacles. This technique can be used to quantify the amount of coverage and assign a conservative level of risk to the areas of the visual field that remain uncovered.
Identity and Compassion in Rafael Campo's "The Distant Moon"

This essay explores how physician-poet Rafael Campo uses identity as a metaphor for medical compassion and how Campo's critique of the figure of the phsycian becomes a basis for reconstructing that compassion.
Heterogeneous-criteria scheduling: minimizing weighted number of tardy jobs and weighted completion time

In this paper, a novel O(N2) algorithm is presented to minimize the weighted number of tardy jobs with unit processing times, integer ready times and deadlines, and M homogeneous parallel machines, where N is the number of jobs to be scheduled. wi is the weight reflecting job i's importance, and Ui is 1 if job i is tardy and 0 otherwise, so ΣwiUi is the measure of performance. (In standard notation, this is the P/ri, pi = 1/ΣwiUi problem.) This algorithm is extended to minimize weighted completion time ΣwiCi for some jobs, where completion time Ci is the time job i completes processing, and ΣwiUi for other jobs, at the same complexity. (The P/ri, pi = 1/ΣwiUi & ΣwiCi problem.) Complexity can be reduced to O(N log N) if all ready times are the same (with one additional constraint on weights). (P/pi = 1/ΣwiUi & ΣwiCi.) Finally, if one is trying to find the number of tardy jobs of each weight under optimal scheduling, but an actual schedule is not needed, this (P/ri, pi = 1/ΣwiUi) problem can be solved with an O(WN log N) algorithm, where W is the number of different weight values. In some cases, this can be done analytically.
Model for Determining Paratransit Eligibility Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

A model is described for the rational characterization and determination of paratransit eligibility for individuals under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The model refines the process of determining paratransit eligibility by comparing, at the microstructure level, the mobility characteristics of a given individual with the environmental characteristics for a given trip. The large array of data that results presents an infinite number of possibilities in the comparison. A relational database was therefore created, along with a specially designed computational algorithm, to generate these comparisons quickly. Thus, the model provides the capability to make eligibility determinations quickly and objectively. In addition, the model allows for the virtual removal of selected barriers and then prediction of the cost-effectiveness that results from the reduced need for selected paratransit trips.
Luminance effects on visual evoked brain responses to flash onset and offset

Visual evoked brain responses (VEBRs) to the onset (ON VEBR) and offset (OFF VEBR) of square wave white light flashes presented monocularly were recorded from the scalp of three adult humans. Stimuli were present in Maxwellian view, and subtended a visual angle of 1.5 deg. Target luminance was varied in.5 log unit steps over a 4.0 log unit range. For all subjects, the OFF VEBR was similar to the ON VEBR in appearance and latency, but smaller in amplitude. Both linear-log and log-log regression lines fit to the data indicate that peak latency of both ON and OFF VEBR measures decreases as a function of increasing luminance. Also, the amplitude of the VEBR increases as luminance increases. Comparable statistically significant ON and OFF VEBR regression lines are not significantly different in slope. These results do not support the notion that different neural systems mediate both ON and OFF VEBRs, thereby suggesting that the same or similar neural systems may mediate both VEBRs.
Change-point mle in the rate of exponential sequences with application to Indonesian seismological data

In this paper, we derive explicit computable expressions for the asymptotic distribution of the maximum likelihood estimate of an unknown change-point in a sequence of independently and exponentially distributed random variables. First we state and prove a theorem that shows asymptotic equivalence of the change-point mle for the cases of both known and unknown parameters, respectively. Thereafter, the computational form of the asymptotic distribution of the change-point mle is derived for the case of known parameter situation only. Simulations show that the distribution for the known case applies very well to the case where the parameters are estimated. Further, it is seen from simulations that the derived unconditional mle shows better performance compared to the conditional solution of Cobb. Application of change detection methodology and the derived estimation methodology show strong support in favor the dynamic triggering hypothesis for seismic faults in Sumatra, Indonesia region.
Experimental study of flicker noise in m.i.s. field-effect transistors

The experimental dependence of flicker noise on the geometry parameters of m.i.s. field-effect transistors is presented. It is found that the gate-referred r.m.s. noise voltage en in the flicker region is inversely proportional to the square root of the gate width of the device. It is also observed that en is directly proportional to the effective gate-insulator thickness. These experimental results are in good agreement with the published results of flicker-noise analyses. Thus, for a given surface State density, it is possible to reduce the magnitude of flicker noise by a control of device geometry parameters.
Conformal antenna applicator for mild hyperthermia of the breast

According to statistics from the National Cancer Institute, an increasing rate of breast cancer in the US makes the treatment of cancers more important. Besides conventional treatments, chemotherapy (CT) and radiation therapy (RT), different techniques are also being used to increase the efficiency of CT and RT for breast cancer. Hyperthermia, also called thermotherapy, is an adjunctive therapy that can be paired with conventional treatments. This method exposes electromagnetic energy into the targeted tissue to raise the temperature up to 45 °C, which increases perfusion and drug delivery inside the cancerous cells. However, high input power and screening room requirements with long application time prevents hyperthermia from being applied in all clinics. Therefore, mild hyperthermia is experimented to make the process more applicable for patients. In this study, the goal is to observe the effect of low input power on tissue temperature at different depths of the breast with a shorter application time compared to current systems. Tissue temperature can be increased by 2–3 °C using this method. This technique will be applied by using a flexible microwave antenna applicator, which consists of 9 microwave antennas integrated in a circular-shaped PDMS, that is designed and fabricated. The breast can also be heated homogeneously with the located multiple antennas on the applicator. Six of the antennas are powered by an amplifier with a power divider, then it is attached on the breast mimicking gel. After that, fiber optic temperature sensors are placed at the depth of the gels and just under the surface. Measurements are taken of the temperature increase at the depth of 1 cm, with 1W power, at 450 Mhz without time limits while gradually increasing the power up to 5W. Thereafter, the depth is increased and the measurements are repeated at 2.5cm and 4cm depths for all power levels again with a limited time of 10 minutes. Design of the flexible microwave antenna applicator and test results will be presented.