cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intervention to Increase HIV Testing Among Substance-Using Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and transgender people in the Detroit Metro Area are the only risk group for whom the incidence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) has increased since 2000, with HIV incidence nearly doubling among youth. Substance use (including alcohol), which is relatively frequent among YMSM and transgender people, creates barriers to the optimal delivery of HIV prevention and care services. Standard HIV counseling, testing, and referral (CTR) is limited in providing strategies to identify and address substance use. Hence, in its current form, CTR may not be serving the prevention needs of substance-using YMSM and transgender people. Brief counseling interventions, grounded in principles of motivational interviewing, may offer a mechanism to meet the HIV prevention and care needs of substance-using YMSM and transgender people. Objective: This prospective, 4-arm, factorial randomized controlled trial aims to examine the efficacy of an motivational interviewing–based substance use brief intervention (SUBI) on participants’ substance use and engagement in HIV prevention. Methods: The research implements a prospective randomized controlled trial (Project Swerve) of 600 YMSM and transgender people recruited both online and in person. Eligibility criteria include participants who (1) are between the ages of 15 to 29 years, (2) live in the Detroit Metro Area, (3) self-identify as a man or transgender man or woman, (4) have had sexual contact with a man in the 6 months before enrollment, (5) self-report binge drinking or any substance use in the 3 months before enrollment, and (6) self-report an unknown or negative HIV status upon enrollment. Participants are randomized to receive, 3-months apart starting at baseline, 2 individual sessions. Sessions are CTR-only, SUBI-only, CTR followed by SUBI, or SUBI followed by CTR. Results: Project Swerve was launched in April 2017 and enrollment is ongoing. Conclusions: Incorporating a SUBI that utilizes the principles of motivational interviewing into HIV CTR provides an opportunity to tailor counseling services for YMSM and transgender people to address additional client barriers to HIV and STI testing. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02945436; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02945436 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6yFyOK57w) [JMIR Res Protoc 2018;7(4):e114]
Reduction of accounts receivable through total quality management.

On October 1, 1990, The Miriam Hospital in Providence, R.I., converted to a new computer system for patient accounting applications and on-line registration functions. The new system automated the hospital's patient accounting, registration, and medical records functions and interfaced registration with patient accounts for billing purposes.
Evidence for Functional and Structural Diversity of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

Uncertainties exist regarding the relationships between sites that interact with putative probes for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) and physiologically functional, neuronal nAChR, as attested by the theme of this workshop. In an effort to help clarify these relationships, we have conducted experiments comparing the ligand binding properties of nAChR from the electroplax of Torpedo californica and rat muscle and putative nAChR from rat brain and from two model neuronal cell lines, PC12 and TE671. The PC12 and TE671 cell lines also have been subjected to functional studies of the cellular ensemble of nAChR by the use of ion flux techniques. Other lines of investigation in our laboratory concern the cellular and molecular mechanisms of regulation of nAChR expression by PC12 and TE671 cells.
“El Ojo Silva” de Roberto Bolaño, o la ética arraigada de un cosmopolita

El articulo ofrece una lectura detallada de “El Ojo Silva”, uno de los cuentos mas conmovedores de Roberto Bolano, a partir de las nociones de errancia y arraigo que lo estructuran. Se examina la pertinencia y alcances de la idea de extraterritorialidad, la particularidad del cosmopolitanismo de sus personajes, asi como las metaforas de pais y las formas de pertenencia y accion que se sugieren en el relato.
Nucleotide-dependent conformational changes in the actin filament: Subtler than expected.

Actin is one of the most abundant and highly conserved proteins in nature. The cellular pool of actin is roughly evenly divided between monomeric (G-actin) and filamentous (F-actin) forms, with the dynamic transition between these two states being tightly regulated in time and space (1). Most actin functions are linked to its filamentous form. The atomic structure of the actin monomer in complex with DNase I was determined ∼30 y ago (2) and was used to produce the first model of the filament by fitting the 8.4-A-resolution X-ray diffraction pattern of oriented gels of actin filaments (3). Today, more than 100 structures of the monomer have been determined. Crystallization has been made possible using one of several strategies that prevent polymerization, including mutagenesis, covalent modification of actin, and the formation of soluble complexes with actin-binding protein (ABPs) or marine toxins. Remarkably, the conformation of the monomer in all these structures is essentially the same. Actin has four subdomains, with subdomains 1 and 3 being structurally related, and subdomains 2 and 4 consisting of large insertions into subdomains 1 and 3. Because of their relative position in the filament, actin is also described as consisting of two major domains, with subdomains 1 and 2 forming the more exposed outer domain and subdomains 3 and 4 forming the inner domain (Fig. 1). Actin has two opposite clefts, one between subdomains 2 and 4 that harbors the nucleotide-binding site, and one between subdomains 1 and 3 that mediates most of the interactions with ABPs. The polypeptide chain crosses between the outer and inner domains only twice, at helix Q137-S145 and at loop R335-Y337, such that the nucleotide itself becomes a major bridge between the two domains. Fig. 1. Structure of the actin filament in the AMPPNP-bound state (23). ( A ) Orthogonal views of the cryo-EM structure … [↵][1]1Email: droberto{at}pennmedicine.upenn.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Ketorolac Use Shortens Hospital Length of Stay After Bariatric Surgery: a Single-Center 5-Year Experience

There has been a recent increased interest in the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ketorolac for post-operative pain management to minimize opioid use and decrease hospital length of stay (LOS). Although NSAID use has been controversial following bariatric surgery due to anecdotal concerns for increased gastric bleeding, the impact of ketorolac as an adjunct to opioids needs further investigation on LOS and post-operative complications like bleeding. This study aims to evaluate the impact of post-operative ketorolac use on opioid consumption, LOS, and bleeding risk after bariatric surgery. We retrospectively analyzed a prospectively maintained database of all bariatric surgery patients who either underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) at a tertiary center between 2011 and 2015. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on post-operative pain control regimen as follows: (1) ketorolac and opioids and (2) opioids alone. A total of 1555 patients were identified who underwent either SG (n = 1255) or RYGB (n = 300). The overall LOS was 1.81 ± .059 days for ketorolac-opioid patients vs. 2.09 ± .065 days for opioid-only patients (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the risk of post-operative bleeding was similar between the two groups (P = 0.097). Patients who received ketorolac as an adjunct to opioids had a significantly shorter LOS compared to opioid-only patients. Additionally, ketorolac use was not associated with increased risk of post-operative bleeding complications. Therefore, if not contraindicated, ketorolac should be considered routinely for post-operative pain control among bariatric surgery patients.
Anticipation and preparation for delivery room emergencies.

Abstract Effective communication is the keystone in the management of delivery room emergencies. A clearly defined framework and “shared mental model” optimize team collaboration and are essential when anticipating and preparing for high-stakes emergent cases. This review defines a framework to build shared mental models using dialogue, pre-briefing, checklists, simulation, debriefing and structured feedback to maintain a cohesive high functioning team. Strategies to approach different emergency lead-times will be discussed, and case examples will be used to illustrate concepts outlined.
No Go World: How Fear Is Redrawing Our Maps and Infecting Our Politics: by Ruben Andersson, Oakland, University of California Press, 2019, 337 pp., $29.95.00/£24.00 (cloth)

Oxford anthropologist Ruben Andersson has written a book that is accessible for a general audience, because it is so engagingly written, and is full of information and arguments that should be read...
Quantifying the effect of resident education on outcomes in pediatric appendicitis.

Abstract Background/purpose Surgical residents are involved in the care of patients in a climate where quality of care is an important outcome measure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of resident involvement on appendectomy outcomes. Methods We retrospectively reviewed appendectomies, ages 0–18, from January 2016 to December 2018. Operative time, operative charges, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated for cases with and without a resident. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank and Fisher's exact tests. Results Of 1842 appendectomies (1267 resident present and 575 no resident present), there was no difference in postoperative stay, abscess formation, readmission, or emergency room visits for simple or complex appendicitis. Operative time was significantly longer for cases of simple appendicitis by 10 min (p = Conclusion Resident involvement results in an increase in operative time and charges, with no difference in length of stay or complications. These results highlight the cost of resident involvement, without an increase in complications experienced by patients. Level of evidence Level III evidence.
Characterization of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Cardiotoxicity in Lung Cancer Patients From a Rural Setting.

Abstract Background Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related cardiotoxicity (iRC) is uncommon but can be fatal. There have been few reports of iRC from a rural cancer population and few data for i...
Conducting Mixed Methods Research Systematic Methodological Reviews: A Review of Practice and Recommendations:

Mixed methods research (MMR) methodologists research the use of MMR by conducting systematic methodological reviews (SMR). Unfortunately, there is little guidance on how to conduct these types of r...
Diverse cellular players orchestrate regeneration after wounding

Fibrosis is one of the largest sources of human morbidity. The skin is a complex organ where interplay between diverse cell types and signalling pathways is essential both in homeostasis and wound repair, which can result in fibrosis or regeneration. This makes skin a useful model to study fibrosis and regeneration. While fibrosis often occurs postinjury, both clinical and laboratory observations suggest skin regeneration, complete with reconstituted cell diversity and de novo hair follicles, is possible. Extensive research performed in pursuit of skin regeneration has elucidated the key players, both cellular and molecular. Interestingly, some cells known for their homeostatic function are not implicated in regeneration or wound-induced hair neogenesis (WIHN), suggesting regeneration harnesses separate functional pathways from embryogenesis or other non-homeostatic mechanisms. For example, classic bulge cells, noted for their role in normally cycling hair follicles, do not finally contribute to long-lived cells in the regenerated tissue. During healing, multiple populations of cells, among them specific epithelial lineages, mesenchymal cells, and immune cells promote regenerative outcomes in the wounded skin. Ultimately, targeting specific populations of cells will be essential in manipulating a postwound environment to favour regeneration in lieu of fibrosis.
Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion and Lead Toxicity in a Child With Sickle Cell Disease and Pica.

We describe the presentation and management of a three-year-old child with a history of pica, vitamin D deficiency, and sickle cell disease, who was admitted for pyelonephritis, and found to have elevated blood lead level (BLL) of 103.7 µg/dL, and who subsequently developed altered mental status and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). In consultation with Medical Toxicology, the patient was chelated with calcium disodium edetate (EDTA) and British Anti Lewisite (BAL). The patient's hyponatremia was managed with hypertonic saline infusion. The patient's encephalopathy improved throughout her hospital course, and she was discharged on hospital day 8. Following five days of EDTA and three days of BAL injections, her repeat BLL was 15.3 µg/dL. SIADH has been associated with severe lead poisoning and may be more likely to occur in high risk patients such as individuals with sickle cell anemia, particularly where medications are used that may cause iatrogenic hyponatremia.
Comparison of computerized image analyses for digitized screen-film mammograms and full-field digital mammography images

We have developed computerized methods for the analysis of mammographic lesions in order to aid in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Our automatic methods include the extraction of the lesion from the breast parenchyma, the characterization of the lesion features in terms of mathematical descriptors, and the merging of these lesion features into an estimate of the probability of malignancy. Our initial development was performed on digitized screen film mammograms. We report our progress here in converting our methods for use with images from full-field digital mammography (FFDM). It is apparent from our initial comparisons on CAD for SFMD and FFDM that the overall concepts and image analysis techniques are similar, however reoptimization for a particular lesion segmentation or a particular mammographic imaging system are warranted.
An attainable region approach for effective production planning

Abstract A novel approach for the solution of production planning problems is presented. A detailed scheduling model is analyzed off-line to obtain a convex approximation of the feasible production targets, i.e. the production attainable region (PAR) of each manufacturing facility. The PAR is expressed via simple inequalities that involve only planning variables, lending itself to effective integration with production planning formulations. Moreover, PAR contains all the relevant scheduling information necessary to solve the planning problem with high quality.
A two-time-scale neural tracking controller for a class of nonlinear dynamical systems

A two-time-scale neural controller with application to tracking control for a class of nonlinear dynamical systems is introduced, and its stability is analyzed. The feasibility of the proposed controller is demonstrated by simulation of a two-link rigid robot arm. >
Evaluation of the Safe Routes to Transit Program in California

This paper elaborates on findings from an evaluation of the San Francisco Bay Area’s Safe Routes to Transit (SR2T) program in California. This program funded enhancements to increase walking and cycling to regional transit stations. To understand how the program influenced travel choices, behavior, and perceptions of safety and local air quality, the study surveyed transit users and observed driver, pedestrian, and bicyclist behavior in the periods before and after the enhancements were made at multiple transit stations. Data from the treatment and control stations suggested that the streetscape and roadway improvements made through the SR2T program positively influenced the propensity to walk, bicycle, and take the bus to transit stations, as reported through surveys. In particular, the results showed that walking and bicycling increased by 3% at treatment sites compared with control sites. Bicycling also increased at control sites; this factor indicated a general societal shift. Furthermore, driving dec...
A Preference Clustering Protocol for Large-Scale Multicast Applications

IP Multicast has enabled a variety of large-scale applications on the Internet which would otherwise bombard the network and the content servers if unicast communication was used. However, the efficiency of multicast is often constrained by preference heterogeneity, where receivers range in their preferences for application data. We examine an approach in which approximately similar preferences are clustered together and transmitted on a limited number of multicast addresses, while consuming bounded total session bandwidth. We present a protocol called Matchmaker that coordinates sources and receivers to perform clustering. The protocol is designed to be scalable, fault tolerant and reliable through the use of decentralized design, soft-state operations and sampling techniques. Our simulation results show that clustering can reduce the amount of superfluous data at the receivers for certain preference distributions. By factoring in application-level semantics into the protocol, it can work with different application requirements and data type characteristics. We discuss how three different applications—stock quote dissemination, distributed network games, and session directory services—can specialize the protocol to perform clustering and achieve better resource utilization.
The spectrum of antibacterial activity of human amniotic fluid determined by scanning electron microscopy

Abstract Bacterial cells exposed to fresh human amniotic fluid examined by scanning-beam electron microscopy consistently showed aberrant morphology. This study included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium perfringens , group B Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus aureus and revealed that all species studied became elongated upon exposure to amniotic fluid. Elongation of cocci resulted in the formation of rod-shaped forms. It is proposed that the elongated forms may be the result of bacterial growth with concomitant blockade of cell division. Additional cellular alterations observed included apparent spheroplast formation seen with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and damage to cellular surfaces of Clostridium perfringes ; however, these effects were not seen in the other species studied.
Role of Executive Function in ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD is commonly treated with behavioral therapy and noradrenergic and dopaminergic pharmacotherapy with psychostimulants such as methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. Stimulants primarily have dopaminergic and noradrenergic mechanisms of action, with blockade at the dopamine transporter reducing reuptake, resulting in an increase in these neurotransmitters at the synapse. Theoretically, inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in ADHD may be due to underlying executive functioning, alerting, and orienting deficits, and the nonstimulant modafinil could be beneficial in managing symptoms of ADHD by improving these components of attention that accompany wakefulness. Although modafinil exhibits a small degree of dopaminergic action by blocking the dopamine transporter, the major effect of modafinil may be attributable to neuronal activity in the hypothalamus, particularly pertaining to the recently discovered peptides hypocretin 1 and 2 (also known as orexin A and B). However, further placebo-controlled and flexible-dose studies are needed to determine the efficacy of modafinil in treating the symptoms of ADHD in children and adults.
Lessons from Genetic Disorders of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Metabolism

Genetic disorders of BCAA metabolism produce amino acidopathies and various forms of organic aciduria with severe clinical consequences. A metabolic block in the oxidative decarboxylation of BCAA caused by mutations in the mitochondrial branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex (BCKDC) results in Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) or branched-chain ketoaciduria. There are presently five known clinical phenotypes for MSUD, i.e., classic, intermediate, intermittent, thiamin-responsive, and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (E3)-deficient, based on severity of the disease, response to thiamin therapy, and the gene locus affected. Reduced glutamate, glutamine, and gamma-aminobutyrate concentrations induced by the accumulation of branched-chain alpha-ketoacids in the brain cortex of affected children and neonatal polled Hereford calves are considered the cause of MSUD encephalopathies. The long-term restriction of BCAA intake in diets and orthotopic liver transplantation have proven effective in controlling plasma BCAA levels and mitigating some of the above neurological manifestations. To date, approximately 100 mutations have been identified in four (branched-chain alpha-ketoacid decarboxylase/dehydrogenasealpha [E1alpha], E1beta, dihydrolipoyl transacylase [E2], and E3) of the six genes that encode the human BCKDC catalytic machine. We have documented a strong correlation between the presence of mutant E2 proteins and the thiamin-responsive MSUD phenotype. We show that the normal E1 component possesses residual decarboxylase activity, which is augmented by the binding to a mutant E2 protein in the presence of the E1 cofactor thiamin diphosphate. Our results provide a biochemical model for the effectiveness of thiamin therapy to thiamin-responsive MSUD patients.
An Open-Label Trial of Aripiprazole Treatment in Dual Diagnosis Individuals: Safety and Efficacy

This open-label study evaluated the safety and efficacy of aripiprazole in the treatment of 20 patients with co-morbid schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder and alcohol, cocaine, and/or marijuana use disorders. Primary outcomes were substance use, measured by the Timeline Followback, and score on the Clinical Global Impression scale for psychiatric and substance use symptoms. The data suggest that aripiprazole may reduce substance use and improve psychiatric symptoms in patients with co-morbid disorders; however, limitations are noted. Subsequent randomized studies are needed to further explore these findings.
Justice and the reversal of the healthcare worker 'brain-drain'.

Statistics such as “Uganda has only 86 pediatricians for its 15 million children under the age of 15” years and “[Uganda has] only one doctor for about 24,000 people—one of the biggest patient/doct...
Tunable Wetting Mechanism of Polypyrrole Surfaces and Low-Voltage Droplet Manipulation via Redox

This paper presents the experimental results and analyses on a controlled manipulation of liquid droplets upon local reduction and oxidation (redox) of a smart polymer—dodecylbenzenesulfonate doped polypyrrole (PPy(DBS)). The electrochemically tunable wetting property of PPy(DBS) permitted liquid droplet manipulation at very low voltages (−0.9 to 0.6 V). A dichloromethane (DCM) droplet was flattened upon PPy(DBS) reduction. It was found that the surface tension gradient across the droplet contact line induced Marangoni stress, which caused this deformation. Further observation of PPy(DBS)’s color change upon the redox process confirmed that the surface tension gradient was the driving force for the droplet shape change.
Evolving On-Line Pedagogy: Developing Research-Based Multimedia Learning Tools for the High School and Undergraduate Biology “Classroom”

Technology is helping undergraduate biology instructors re-define their pedagogical â€œtoolboxesâ€ for the 21st century classroom. Indeed, new multimedia learning tools are evolving to fill the niche to assist student transition from simple inquiry-based learning (textbooks, less student responsibility) to professional science practice (research, more student responsibility). Moreover, these tools are creating interactive classrooms, empowering instructors to be facilitators of learning, and helping to excite the next generation of researchers and good citizens. This article will review what is meant by multimedia learning and multimedia instruction; present one example of a new type of multimedia learning tool, â€œresearch module,â€ that is being used in American high school and undergraduate classrooms; describe research-based parameters to follow when creating a research-based pedagogical activity; and highlight evidentiary support for the benefits and success of these multimedia modules.
Determinants of Renal Disease Variability in ADPKD

In common with other Mendelian diseases, the presentation and progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) vary widely in the population. The typical course is of adult-onset disease with ESRD in the 6th decade. However, a small proportion has adequate renal function into the 9th decade, whereas others present with enlarged kidneys as neonates. ADPKD is genetically heterogeneous, and the disease gene is a major determinant of severity; PKD1 on average is associated with ESRD 20 years earlier than PKD2. The majority of PKD1 and PKD2 mutations are likely fully inactivating although recent studies indicate that some alleles retain partial activity (hypomorphic alleles). Homozygotes for such alleles are viable and in combination with an inactivating allele can result in early-onset disease. Hypomorphic alleles and mosaicism may also account for some cases with unusually mild disease. The degree of phenotypic variation detected in families indicates that genetic background influences disease severity. Genome-wide association studies are planned to map common variants associated with severity. Although ADPKD is a simple genetic disease, fully understanding the phenotypic variability requires consideration of influences at the genic, allelic, and genetic background level, and so, ultimately, it is complex.
Clinical factors associated with progression of glaucomatous optic disc damage in treated patients.

Background Reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucomatous eyes does not always prevent disease progression. Objective To determine the clinical factors associated with progressive optic disc damage in glaucomatous eyes receiving treatment to reduce IOP. Methods Baseline and follow-up optic disc photographs as well as demographic and clinical data were retrospectively studied in 186 eyes of 93 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, and in 138 eyes of 69 patients with normal-pressure glaucoma. The patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were included in the study only if their treated IOPs during a follow-up period of 5 years were less than 21 mm Hg. The patients with normal-pressure glaucoma were included only if their IOPs were reduced by at least 20% during the follow-up period. The association of progressive optic disc damage with patient- and eye-specific characteristics was examined using multivariate analysis. Results During the 5-year study period, 141 (43.5%) of the 324 eyes exhibited progressive optic disc damage defined by at least a 5% decrease in the neural rim area-to-disc area ratio. Using multivariate analysis, the following were found to be strongly associated with progressive neural rim damage: a baseline smaller neural rim area-disc area ratio (P Conclusions Clinical factors other than IOP may be important indicators of subsequent progression of glaucomatous optic disc damage. Our findings suggest that eyes with advanced glaucomatous optic disc damage and normal-pressure glaucoma are more likely to progress despite receiving treatment to reduce IOP.
Innovative fast technique for overlay accuracy estimation using archer self calibration (ASC)

As overlay margins shrink for advanced process nodes, a key overlay metrology challenge is finding the measurement conditions which optimize the yield for every device and layer. Ideally, this setup should be found in-line during the lithography measurements step. Moreover, the overlay measurement must have excellent correlation to the device electrical behavior. This requirement makes the measurement conditions selection even more challenging since it requires information about the response of both the metrology target and device to different process variations. In this work a comprehensive solution for overlay metrology accuracy, used by UMC, is described. This solution ranks the different measurement setups by their accuracy, using Qmerit, as reported by the Archer 500. This ranking was verified to match device overlay using electrical tests. Moreover, the use of Archer Self Calibration (ASC) allows further improvement of overlay measurement accuracy.
Executive functioning moderates the relationship between motivation and adolescent depressive symptoms.

We investigated the association between adolescent depressive symptoms and components of executive functioning (EF), including planning (Tower of London), set-shifting (Wisconsin Card Sorting Task), and inhibition (Stop Signal Task) in a community sample of 12–14 year olds. Further, EF was tested as a moderator of motivation (as operationalized by revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory) effects on depressive symptoms. Results suggested that planning ability was associated with depressive symptoms. Furthermore, planning ability moderated the relationship between motivation (fight-flight–freeze system; FFFS) and depressive symptoms, such that among adolescents with poor planning ability the FFFS positively predicted depressive symptoms, but among adolescents with strong planning ability the FFFS negatively predicted depressive symptoms. Neither set-shifting nor inhibition were associated with depressive symptoms. Findings highlight the need to consider multiple components of EF and to integrate motivational and executive dysfunction models to the study of depression.
Pattern and forcing of Northern Hemisphere glacier variations during the last millennium

Time series depicting mountain glacier fluctuations in the Alps display generally similar patterns over the last two centuries, as do chronologies of glacier variations for the same interval from elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere. Episodes of glacier advance consistently are associated with intervals of high average volcanic aerosol production, as inferred from acidity variations in a Greenland ice core. Advances occur whenever acidity levels rise sharply from background values to reach concentrations ≥1.2 μequiv H+/kg above background. A phase lag of about 10–15 yr, equivalent to reported response lags of Alpine glacier termini, separates the beginning of acidity increases from the beginning of subsequent ice advances. A similar relationship, but based on limited and less-reliable historical data and on lichenometric ages, is found for the preceding 2 centuries. Calibrated radiocarbon dates related to advances of non-calving and non-surging glaciers during the earlier part of the Little Ice Age display a comparable consistent pattern. An interval of reduced acidity values between about 1090 and 1230 A.D. correlates with a time of inferred glacier contraction during the Medieval Optimum. The observed close relation between Noothern Hemisphere glacier fluctuations and variations in Greenland ice-core acidity suggests that sulfur-rich aerosols generated by volcanic eruptions are a primary forcing mechanism of glacier fluctuations, and therefore of climate, on a decadal scale. The amount of surface cooling attributable to individual large eruptions or to episodes of eruptions is simlar to the probable average temperature reduction during culminations of Little Ice Age alacier advances (ca. 0.5°–1.2°C), as inferred from depression of equilibrium-line altitudes.
III-V based room temperature THz detectors

Results are reported on a GaAs/AlGaAs based THz detector operating up to room temperature. The detector gave a response of 4 A/W at 330 K and 0.015 A/W at 309 K indicating the response is due to effects of thermally generated carriers. By optimizing the material it should be possible to improve the detector response.
Modeling fully nonlinear shallow-water waves and their interactions with cylindrical structures

Abstract Introduction of a time-accurate stabilized finite-element approximation for the numerical investigation of fully nonlinear shallow-water waves is presented in this paper. To make the time approximation match the order of accuracy of the spatial representation of the triangular elements by the Galerkin method, the fourth-order time integration of implicit multistage Pade method is used for the development of the numerical scheme. The Streamline-Upwind Petrov–Galerkin (SUPG) method with cross-wind diffusion is employed to stabilize the scheme and suppress the spurious oscillations, usually common in the numerical computation of convection dominated flow problems. The performance of numerical stabilization and accuracy is addressed. Numerical results obtained for cases representing propagation of solitary waves, collisions of two solitary waves, and wave-structure interactions show fairly good agreement with experimental measurements and other published numerical solutions. The comparisons between results from present fully nonlinear wave model and weekly nonlinear wave model are presented and discussed.
Direct Numerical Procedure for Solution of Moving Oscillator Problems

In this paper, the problem of a 1D elastic distributed system coupled with a moving linear oscil- lator, often referred to as the ''moving oscillator'' problem, is studied. The problem is formulated using a ''relative displacement'' model, which shows that, in the limiting case of infinite oscillator stiffness, the moving mass problem is recovered. The coupled equations of motion are recast into an integral equation that is amenable to solution by a direct numerical procedure. Both the integral equation and the numerical procedure show that the response of the elastic system at the current time depends only on the time history of its response at the positions of the oscillator. Numerical results are presented for the examples of a string and a simply supported beam and are compared to the moving force solutions. It is shown that the oscillator, with its stiffness suitably tuned, can excite the elastic structure into resonance.
Relations among personality scales of aggression, violence, and empathy: Validational evidence bearing on the risk of eruptive violence scale

This study was designed to explore relations of emotional empathy (two scales) with aggression and violence (three scales). An initial study investigated validity of one of the violence scales, the Risk of Eruptive Violence Scale (REV), by comparing individual REV scores with individual histories of criminal violence for a sample of incarcerated juveniles. Validity of the REV was supported by a very strong correlation of .71 between REV scores and the amount of criminal violence in this homogeneous sample. The second study yielded positive intercorrelations among measures of aggression and violence, positive intercorrelations among measures of emotional empathy, and negative correlations (ranging from –.22 to –.50, P < .05) of measures of aggression and violence with measures of emotional empathy. Analyses of the five scales in terms of the Pleasure-Arousability-Dominance (PAD) Temperament Model helped explain similarities of the emotional empathy scales with other individual difference measures of prosocial orientation (e.g., affiliation). PAD analyses also explained some paradoxical effects of experimental "empathy arousal" on aggression toward victims. Aggr. Behav. 23:433–445, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Parkinson's disease: Cogentinr with sinemetr, a better response

1. A randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind cross-over study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the anticholinergic agent, benztropine mesylate (CogentinR) in 29 patients with mild to moderate, idiopathic Parkinson disease. 2. Patients were maintained on a stable, therapeutically optimal dosage and schedule of levadopa-carbidopa (Sinemet) throughout the study. 3. Both the neurologist's and the patient's global assessments of treatment efficacy indicated that Sinemet plus benztropine mesylate resulted in significantly greater improvement than Sinemet plus placebo. 4. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of relevant neurologic functions showed small, but statistically significant improvements for rigidity, finger tapping speed and activities of daily living in patients during the Sinemet plus benztropine mesylate treatment period. 5. At the completion of the study 16 patients chose to continue taking benztropine mesylate as an adjuvant to Sinemet. 6. No important adverse side effects occurred during the study.
The movement patterns of carpenter bees Xylocopa micans and bumblebees Bombus pennsylvanicus on Pontederia cordata inflorescences

The movement patterns of carpenter bees (Xylocopa micans) and bumblebees (Bombus pennsylvanicus) foraging for nectar on vertical inflorescences ofPontederia cordata were studied near Miami, Florida. The floral biology ofP. cordata is unique in several ways: (a) many short-lived flowers per inflorescence, (b) constant nectar production throughout the life span of each flower, and (c) abscence of vertical patterning of nectar and age of flowers. Inflorescences ranged between 3.5 and 15.8 cm long and had between 9 and 55 open flowers. Both carpenter bees and bumblebees arrived mostly on the bottom third of the inflorescence and left after visiting flowers on the top third of the inflorescence. The departure position from the inflorescence was higher up than observed in studies of other insect pollinators foraging on other speces of plants. This pattern of departure probably occurs in the absence of a vertical gradient of nectar or floral morphology.
Imaging of acute head injury

This article reviews the neuroradiological evaluation of acute head injury with an emphasis on CT and MR imaging. Subacute and chronic head injury are not discussed. CT remains the modality of choice in the emergency setting, permitting rapid, comprehensive assessment of the great majority of head injuries. MR is most useful in patients in whom there is a discrepancy between clinical symptoms and CT findings. In addition, MR is the imaging modality of choice in the subacute and chronic setting. The superior contrast resolution of MR permits optimal evaluation of nonhemorrhagic (and hemorrhagic) white matter shearing injuries, and the lack of beam-hardening artifact permits a more thorough evaluation of the brain stem, posterior fossa, and cortical surface.
Modeling and Characterization of Electrostatic Comb-drive Actuators in Conducting Liquid Media

Operation of electrostatic actuators in liquid media has various proposed applications, especially in biological environments. The devices are operated by modulating at a frequency higher than the relaxation rate of the ions in solution. We present circuit models based on electric double layer theories to obtain an analytical expression for the frequency-dependent force response of electrostatic actuators in ionic media. The model has been compared with experimental measurements of actuation in media of conductivity spanning five orders of magnitude. Further, impedance spectroscopy is used to measure the values of the circuit models, which are compared with the experiments. These measurements also quantify the parasitic impedances in the devices. A conformal layer of parylene-C is demonstrated as a passivation scheme for the electrodes in corrosive media. The heating effects due to parasitic impedances are also quantified by temperature measurements of devices in fluids.
NIST reactive power standard

This paper describes the implementation of a quantum-based system for the generation of 120 V rms, 5 A rms, sinusoidal, active and reactive power over the 50 Hz to 400 Hz frequency range. The system relates the amplitudes and phases of the voltage and current waveforms of the generated power to a programmable Josephson voltage standard (PJVS) using a differential sampling technique. The system also employs a voltage amplifier that performs self-calibration and corrections of gain and phase errors. Details of the system design, measurement techniques, and significant sources of error are presented.
Palladiumkatalysierte Kupplungen von Arylchloriden

Palladiumkatalysierte Kupplungen gehoren zu den leistungsfahigsten und vielseitigsten Reaktionen, die dem organischen Chemiker fur die Synthese zur Verfugung stehen. Ihre grose Beliebtheit ruhrt teilweise daher, dass sie bei den Umsetzungen gewohnlich viele funktionelle Gruppen tolerieren, was ihre breite Verwendung in vielen Bereichen ermoglicht. Allerdings unterlagen die palladiumkatalysierten Kupplungen jahrelang grosen Einschrankungen durch die geringe Reaktivitat der Arylchloride; diese Verbindungen sind in Bezug auf Kosten und Verfugbarkeit attraktivere Substrate als die entsprechenden Bromide, Iodide und Triflate. Herkommliche Palladium/Triarylphosphan-Katalysatoren setzten nur bestimmte aktivierte Arylchloride um (z. B. Heteroarylchloride und Substrate mit elektronenanziehenden Gruppen), nicht aber Arylchloride generell. Seit 1998 haben mehrere Forschungsgruppen bedeutende Fortschritte hinsichtlich dieser Herausforderung beschrieben; Katalysatoren mit voluminosen, elektronenreichen Phosphanen und Carbenen erwiesen sich als sehr vielseitig und ermoglichen besonders milde Reaktionsbedingungen. Dieser Aufsatz fasst die fruhen, wegweisenden Arbeiten und die spannenden neuartigen Entwicklungen auf dem Gebiet der palladiumkatalysierten Kupplungen von Arylchloriden zusammen.
Inlaid Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanoelectrode Arrays for Electroanalysis

The rapid development in nanomaterials and nanotechnologies has provided many new opportunities for electroanalysis. We review our recent results on the fabrication and electroanalytical applications of nanoelectrode arrays based on vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). A bottom-up approach is demonstrated, which is compatible with Si microfabrication processes. MWCNTs are encapsulated in SiO2 matrix leaving only the very end exposed to form inlaid nanoelectrode arrays. The electrical and electrochemical properties have been characterized, showing well-defined quasireversible nanoelectrode behavior. Ultrasensitive detection of small redox molecules in bulk solutions as well as immobilized at the MWCNT ends is demonstrated. A label-free affinity-based DNA sensor has shown extremely high sensitivity approaching that of fluorescence techniques. This platform can be integrated with microelectronics and microfluidics for fully automated microchips.
Camionetas: Informal Travel Among Immigrants

Little research has been done on how immigrants, many of who are unable to drive and are poorly served by fixed-route public transportation services, met their travel needs. To help fill this gap, this paper presents findings from a study on the camioneta industry. Camionetas are minivans privately operated as jitney services, run by immigrants for immigrants in U.S., Mexican and Central American cities. Using interviews and ethnography, the authors analyze who patronizes camionetas in Southern California, and why. Patrons discussed why they use this service, their attitudes about it, other transportation options, and access to employment. Empirical tests were conducted to determine whether these services are as exploitative of their riders as portrayed in some media accounts. This research suggests that camionetas are primarily used by Mexican immigrants with varied socio-economic characteristics who want to travel inter-regionally and transnationally. Patrons praised camioneta service for timesaving, Spanish-speaking drivers, more flexible stops, the inclusion of Spanish music and television in the vehicle, and door-to-door service. The ethnographic evidence suggested that the camionetas operating in Southern California were comfortable and safe. Statistical tests suggest that undocumented patrons in the study sample may face price discrimination due to the paucity of travel opportunities that do not require U.S. identification. Suggestions are given on how transportation agencies can maximize the benefits of camioneta operations while minimizing the risks.
Experiments in hydraulic rock cutting

Abstract A theory of hydraulic rock cutting was tested by conducting experiments on four different rocks in the laboratory. The tests involved directing a stationary high speed water jet of small diameter onto a moving rock target. The slot thus cut in the rock was measured to determine an average depth. The theory of hydraulic rock cutting provides an analytical expression for the depth of slot. This expression depends on jet parameters, rock traversing speed, and the physical properties of the rock. These rock properties were measured in the laboratory using standard tests. The accuracy of the theoretical model, and thus the tenets of the theory, was examined by comparing measured slot depths to slot depths predicted by the theory. The theory was found to hold well for one of the rocks tested, Wilkeson sandstone, but further work will be necessary, by way of modification of the theory, to improve the correlation between observed results and predictions of the theory.
Ciprofloxacin in experimental aortic valve endocarditis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Left-sided endocarditis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequently associated with failure of medical therapy in man. The efficacy of ciprofloxacin and netilmicin + azlocillin has been studied in 79 rabbits with aortic valve endocarditis caused by a serum-resistant strain of P. aeruginosa. Infected animals received either: no therapy; ciprofloxacin (80 mg/kg/day); or netilmicin (6.5 mg/kg/day) + azlocillin (400 mg/kg/day). Ciprofloxacin significantly lowered vegetation titers of P. aeruginosa at days 6 and 10 of therapy compared with netilmicin + azlocillin (P less than 0.001). Similarly, ciprofloxacin was significantly more effective in sterilizing vegetations (P less than 0.005), curing P. aeruginosa endocarditis (P less than 0.001), and preventing bacteriological relapse after discontinuing antibiotic therapy (P less than 0.005). Both antibiotic regimens were equally effective in sterilizing renal abscesses. Resistance to azlocillin was occasionally observed in vivo among P. aeruginosa isolates within cardiac vegetations during the second week of therapy, but not to ciprofloxacin or netilmicin.
Analysis of differentiation-associated proteins in rat bladder carcinogenesis

Uroplakins are the major integral membrane proteins synthesized in terminally differentiated, superficial urothelial cells. Alteration of cell differentiation during rat urinary bladder carcinogenesis was analyzed immunohistochemically for the expression of uroplakins. Expression of uroplakins was compared in N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]-formamide (FANFT)-, uracil-, sodium saccharin- or sodium ascorbate-induced urothelial simple hyperplasia, papillary-nodular hyperplasia, papilloma and carcinoma. In controls, uroplakins were located only in superficial cells, especially the luminal surface membrane. In FANFT-induced hyperplasia, including simple hyperplasia, intermediate cells also stained and the staining pattern was disorderly and intermittent. In uracil-induced simple hyperplasia, intermediate cells were stained but in an orderly fashion. In sodium saccharin- or sodium ascorbate-induced simple hyperplasia, superficial cells were swollen but alterations were not observed in the staining pattern. In carcinoma induced by FANFT and uracil, uroplakin expression was very disorderly and focal, usually with no expression on surface cells. It appears that disorderly differentiation is an index of bladder malignancy and is an early event in FANFT-induced lesions but a late event in uracil-, sodium saccharin- and sodium ascorbate-induced lesions.