cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonic Fluxless Soldering of Eutectic SnPb and SnAgCu Alloys: A Feasibility Study

Compared with the traditional eutectic SnPb soldering, lead-free soldering has been a focal point for electronics packaging research in order for the industry to meet the regulations on environment protection. By eliminating the lead element from soldering process, the concerns on environmental pollution can be significantly reduced. However, the current lead-free soldering processes usually still require the flux chemicals for promoting wetting. The use of flux chemicals is not environmentally friendly. In this study, motivated by the potential benefits of soldering using ultrasonic energy, we carry out a feasibility study of ultrasonic fluxless soldering experiments on both the regular eutectic SnPb soldering alloy, Sn63Pb37 and the popular SnAgCu alloy, SAC305. By developing the appropriate testing conditions, the solder joints are successfully formed using the dipping ultrasonic soldering method regardless if chemical flux is applied. The effects of soldering time, temperature, and ultrasonic power are investigated. The results from SEM observation and EDS element analysis indicate that the use of chemical flux produces thicker intermetallic compound (IMC) layers for Sn63Pb37 alloy, and a longer soldering time leads to thicker IME layers for both solder alloys. However, a higher soldering temperature may not be beneficial to the growth of IME layer in ultrasonic soldering of SAC305 alloy. However, the driving mechanisms behind the phenomena remain to be investigated in the future.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The Synthetic Versatility of Acyloxyborohydrides

Acyloxyborohydrides are unsurpassed in their versatility as reagents in organic synthesis. In addition to their superior ability in effecting reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones, acyloxyborohydrides can reduce nitrogen heterocycles (indoles, quinolines, isoquinolines), imines, enamines, oximes, amides, nitriles, benzylic alcohols, aryl ketones, aldehydes (but not ketones), acetals, β-hydroxy ketones, and other substrates. The ability to control chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity by adjusting the carboxylic acid, borohydride reagent, stoichiometry, and temperature has no parallel in the repertoire of the organic chemist.
Unresolved Dielectronic Satellites of the Resonance Line of Heliumlike Iron (Fe XXV)

High-resolution spectra of Fe xxv have been observed from Princeton Large Torus tokamak discharges and are used for a detailed comparison with theoretical predictions of Bely-Dubau, Gabriel, and Volont\'e for the ($1{s}^{2}nl\ensuremath{-}1s2pnl$, $ng~3$) dielectronic satellites at 1.85 \AA{}. The theory predicts a significant apparent broadening of the resonance lines of high-$Z$ heliumlike ions in high-temperature plasmas due to the dielectronic capture of electrons into outer atomic shells. The experimental results and theoretical predictions are in good general agreement.
Influence of Ground Covers on White Grub (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Populations and their Feeding Damage to Roots of Fraser Fir Christmas Trees in the Southern Appalachians

A field experiment was conducted during 1984–85 to evaluate the influence of six ground covers on white grub (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) densities and feeding damage to roots of young Fraser fir ( Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir.) Christmas trees in the southern Appalachians. The three dominant grub species were Phyllophaga anxia (LeConte) Glasgow, Phyllophaga fusca (Froelich) Glasgow, and Polyphylla comes Casey. Ground covers were fescue ( Festuca elatior L. cv. Kentucky-31), orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L.), Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.), red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.), subterranean clover ( Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Mt. Barker), and dead sod–entire plot herbicide. Mowed grass plots supported the densest grub populations ($\bar x$ = 32.3 to 43.0 grubs per m2) when compared with clover and dead sod plots ( x ¯ = 13.3 to 16.1 grubs per m2), and contained fir trees with the most severe feeding damage to roots, poorest health, and lowest wood volumes.
Establishing an empirically based psychiatric nursing practice in a rapidly changing health care environment

Abstract Psychiatric services have shifted dramatically in the past decade, largely in response to economic survival. Services once delivered solely on an inpatient basis are now delivered through partial hospitalization and day treatment programs, intensive outpatient programs, and community-based centers. Few of these program changes, however, are developed on the basis of research or outcomes data, despite the embraced expectation for such data. This article argues the critical need for evidence-based practice and outlines steps for establishing a successful program of study. The authors share their experiences and lessons learned in initiating a psychiatric outcomes program. Collaboration and use of advanced practice nurses are highlighted. (J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc [2000]. 6, 112-118.)
Behavioral Theory of the Apparel Firm: A Beginning

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for a behavioral theory of the apparel firm that will provide a framework for apparel business-related research and curriculum development in textiles and clothing and carry on our already strong behavioral related research tradition. According to the proposed model, the apparel firm's primary business may be manufacturing, retailing, or some vertically integrated combination of manufacturing and retailing. The apparel firm is a coalition of employees with five internal constituencies, executive management and four areas of specialization including merchandising as an integrative function, marketing, operations, and finance. An apparel firm's constituencies interact with each other and with external coalitions and their constituencies in a complex decision making matrix to provide the firm with the resources (materials and/or finished goods, money, physical facilities, etc.) required to conduct business. The primary focus of the proposed model is on the appa...
A facile method for synthesis of polyaniline nanospheres and effect of doping on their electrical conductivity.

The synthesis of polyaniline (PANI) nanospheres using a simple template-free method is described. The polymerization of aniline in aqueous medium was accomplished using ammonium persulfate without any protonic acid. The UV-visible spectrum of the PANI nanospheres displayed the characteristic absorption peak of the π–π* transition of the benzenoid ring at 355 nm. The oxidation state of the PANI nanospheres was identified with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy by comparing the two bands at 1582 cm−1 (ring stretching in quinoid unit) and 1498 cm−1 (ring stretching in bezenoid unit). X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrated the low crystallinity of the PANI nanospheres. The morphology of the PANI nanospheres was spherical and their mean diameter was found to be in the range 3–12 nm. The thermal behavior of the PANI nanospheres was studied using thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of doping of HCl and H2SO4 on the PANI nanospheres was studied by measuring the current as a function of time of exposure. A high electrical conductivity of 6 × 10−2 S cm−1 was obtained for the PANI nanospheres doped with 100 ppm HCl, their optimum doping state. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
A Museum Visitors Guide with the A* pathfinding algorithm

The A* algorithm is proven to be one of the most, if not the most, used AI pathfinding algorithm in game development today. Current development effort is now focused on optimizing the A* algorithm and applying it to solve real-world problems. In this paper, we present a Museum Visitors Guide (MVG) application with the A* pathfinding algorithm that helps museum visitors to make the most of their visit. The A* algorithm is optimized in a number of ways. First, the shortest path between the visitor's current location and the goal art piece is dynamically produced in response to the changes of the exhibition floor plans. Secondly, visitors are allowed to select multiple works of art that they want to see. The best path that our MVG finds out covers them all. Thirdly, multiple optimum and load-balanced paths are discovered when there are multiple targets - a feature that is very useful for emergencies, e.g., for firefighters to put out the flames. To demonstrate that our MVG is well functional, flexible, and even ready to migrate to hand-held mobile platforms, we will show the running results of our simulation in the end of this paper.
Histone differentiation and nuclear activity

When fast green and eosin are used in combination to stain histones, nuclei display different affinities toward the dyes, some binding fast green exclusively, others binding eosin exclusively, and still others, both stains. In a given tissue, the frequencies of nuclei exhibiting the different colors remain fairly constant over a wide range of staining conditions. Nuclei of cells of the same type may stain differently, but when they are in the same stage of development or state of activity they tend to stain alike. Xenopus erythrocyte nuclei stain bright pink. Condensed mitotic and meiotic chromosomes stain purple. In the grasshopper spermatocyte, the main body of the interphase nucleus stains bright green, but the condensed chromosome stains purple. The mole crab sperm contains several distinct histone-like proteins, that differ in their amino acid compositions, within separate areas of the cell. In these sperms, the lysine-rich histones bind eosin, while the protamine-like protein and arginine-rich histone bind fast green. In general, the eosin and fast green bind preferentially to the lysine and arginine rich histones respectively, when the dyes are permitted to compete with one another. In several systems, including spermiogenesis and erythropoiesis, the aquisition of an eosinophilic component by the nuclei accompanies the slowing of RNA synthesis, and it is suggested that there may be a causal relationship between the two events, the eosinophilic histone effecting RNA synthesis within the nucleus as a whole.
A Comparison of Bayesian and Information-Optimal Detector Thresholds

The binary inference procedure including the experiment and detector is viewed as an "inference channel" transmitting information from event to decision. In this formulation, the mutual information of event and decision is used to measure the performance of the entire inference channel. Maximizing the mutual information requires optimizing three components of the inference channel, the experiment, the test statistic, and the threshold comparator. It is shown that the information-optimal test statistic is the likelihood ratio, and a method of choosing the information-optimal threshold is demonstrated both with and without knowledge of the prior probabilities. The relationship between Bayesian and information-optimal thresholds is explored.
Cathepsin K-Cre Causes Unexpected Germline Deletion of Genes in Mice

Osteoclasts are terminally differentiated cells that attach to bone and secrete proteases to degrade the bone matrix. The primary protease responsible for the degradation of the organic component of the bone matrix is Cathepsin K, which was largely thought to be unique to osteoclasts. Given its apparent selective expression in osteoclasts, the Cathepsin K promoter has been engineered to drive the expression of Cre recombinase in mice and has been the most relevant tool for generating osteoclast-specific gene loss. In an effort to understand the role of the ARF tumor suppressor in osteoclasts, we crossed Arf fl/fl mice to CtskCre/+ mice, which unexpectedly resulted in the germline loss of Arf. We subsequently confirmed Cre activity in gametes by generating CtskCre/+; Rosa+ mice. These results raise significant concerns regarding in vivo bone phenotypes created using CtskCre/+ mice and warrant further investigation into the role of Cathepsin K in gametes as well as alternative tools for studying osteoclast-specific gene loss in vivo.
1094 CELLULAR IMMUNE RESPONSES IN FAMILIES WITH INFLUENZA

Cellular and humoral immunologic responses were measured in 39 families, 109 members (72 children) following the 1980 influenza B epidemic. Virologic and/or serologic evidence of recent infection was detected in 19 families (36 children and 17 adults) with information on infection in 1977 available for most. Ficollhypaque separated peripheral blood lymphocytes were obtained on all 109 family members 2-12 weeks post-infection and lymphocyte transformation (LT) studies performed with influenza B antigen. LT responses were seen in 28/36 children and 11/17 adults with recent infection; 9/21 children and 6/22 adults with evidence of remote infection. Thirty-six children (1-5 y.o) have been followed since birth; for 22, this marked their primary infection with influenza B. Significant LT response was seen in 16/22 (3 non-transformers also lacked an antibody response). In 3/16, LT responses were present 4-8 weeks post-infection in the absence of neutralizing antibody (NT). LT was not seen in 15/16 uninfected children. There was a tendency for a linear correlation between LT response and post-influenza NT antibody titer in adults, but no such correlation in children to either pre- or post-infection NT antibody titer. This study demonstrates that primary influenza B infection in young children elicits cellular immune responses equivalent to that of adults. LT responses is higher in recent (73%) as compared to remote (35%) infections and there was no correlation with the NT antibody titer achieved.
VO 2 thin films for micromanipulators

The use of VO2 thin films as the active element in micromanipulators of multiple degrees of freedom is studied. It is shown that the insulator-to-metal transition of VO2, which occurs at around 68°C, can be used to create localized stress gradients in micro-structures. By controlling the location and intensity of these stress gradients, precise and multiple inflection points within a cantilever beamcan be achieved. This transition can be induced locally by any form of heating. In this work the transition is induced by optical radiation which allows remote actuation of the micromanipulators. Due to the relatively low transition temperature of VO2, the particularly localized heating shown here, and the recently demonstrated actuation in aqueous media, these micromanipulators can be used in the different fields of bio-engineering.
Analysis of DNA-protein crosslinking activity of malondialdehyde in vitro.

In an attempt to identify endogenous chemicals producing DNA-protein crosslinks, we have studied in vitro crosslinking potential of malondialdehyde, a bifunctional chemical that is ubiquitously formed as a product of lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. We have found that malondialdehyde readily forms crosslinks between DNA and histones under physiological ionic and pH conditions. Formation of DNA-protein crosslinks was limited to proteins that were able to bind to DNA. Malondialdehyde failed to form DNA-protein crosslinks when histone binding to DNA was prevented by elevated ionic strength or when bovine serum albumin was used in the reaction mixture. Malondialdehyde-produced DNA-histone crosslinks were relatively stable at 37 degrees C with t1/2=13.4 days. Crosslinking of histones to DNA proceeds through the initial formation of protein adduct followed by reaction with DNA. Modification of DNA by malondialdehyde does not lead to a subsequent crosslinking of proteins. Significant formation of DNA-protein crosslinks was also registered in isolated kidney and liver nuclei treated with malondialdehyde. Based on its reactivity and stability of the resulting crosslinks, it is suggested that malondialdehyde could be one of the significant sources of endogenous DNA-protein crosslinks.
The impact of test suite granularity on the cost-effectiveness of regression testing

Regression testing is an expensive testing process used to validate software following modifications. The cost-effectiveness of regression testing techniques varies with characteristics of test suites. One such characteristic, test suite granularity, involves the way in which test inputs are grouped into test cases within a test suite. Various cost-benefits tradeoffs have been attributed to choices of test suite granularity, but almost no research has formally examined these tradeoffs. To address this lack, we conducted several controlled experiments, examining the effects of test suite granularity on the costs and benefits of several regression testing methodologies across six releases of two non-trivial software systems. Our results expose essential tradeoffs to consider when designing test suites for use in regression testing evolving systems.
The Role of Exemplification in Shaping Third-Person Perceptions and Support for Restrictions on Video Games

The origins of third-person perceptions remain uncertain, with most research focusing on psychological mechanisms. We investigate whether media content might also play a role, using a 2 × 2 experiment presenting a single story describing video games as harmful or harmless and using either research and statistics or a specific anecdotal exemplar to illustrate this claim. Results show perceived effects on others are influenced by the use of an exemplar but do not show an effect for explicitly describing games as harmful. The findings suggest that media may influence third-person perceptions and subsequent support for censorship in previously unexplored ways.
Improving product development process design: a method for managing information flows, risks, and iterations

Companies employ a variety of different product development processes (PDPs) to design new products. Well-designed PDPs are necessary to reduce development time, manage risks, and create better products. This study proposes and demonstrates a method with which a company can design a PDP applicable to its unique circumstance. The research uses several case studies and a literature survey to demonstrate the wide variety of PDPs available to companies. The case studies show the importance of matching PDP design to a company's risk profile. The paper employs these lessons to propose a method for improved PDP design. The paper then illustrates the method by discussing how one company is using it to redesign its PDP.
Growth of GaAs, GaxIn1−xSb and GaxAl1−xAs by the travelling heater method

Gallium arsenide crystals 1 cm in diameter and several cm long were grown by the traveling heater method (THM) in (111), (111), (110) and (211) directions, with the best results obtained with the two (111) orientations. A solvent zone slightly shorter than the heater produced a convex interface, which aided grain selection and dislocation elimination. Characterization by mass spectrometry and Hall measurements showed that THM crystals were superior to the feed material from which they were grown. Some crystals were doped with Te, Zn, or Cr. Polycrystalline ingots of Ga/sub x/In/sub 1-x/ Sb and Ga/sub x/ Al/sub 1-x/ As were also prepared by THM and their composition profiles measured. Constitutional supercooling was not a problem.
The oxidation of reduced putidaredoxin reductase by oxidized putidaredoxin

Abstract NAD + was shown to be essential for the kinetically favored oxidation of putidaredoxin reductase from the two electron reduced form to the semiquinone form by oxidized putidaredoxin. The rate of oxidation of putidaredoxin reductase from the semiquinone to the oxidized form was not commensurate with the overall rate of catalysis seen in the cytochrome c reductase assay. The presence of excess NADH was shown to result in a substantial enhancement of the rate of the catalytic cycle. Thus, pyridine nucleotides play an important role in the reoxidation of putidaredoxin reductase by putidaredoxin. The initial velocity patterns for the addition of varying concentrations of substrates indicate a ping-pong mechanism for substrate addition while product inhibition patterns indicate otherwise. A model of putidaredoxin reductase catalysis is described which accounts for the product inhibition patterns and the observed role of pyridine nucleotides in the reaction cycle. The two site mechanism described in this manuscript has both sequential and ping-pong features which are accounted for by the two addition steps of oxidized putidaredoxin during Catalytic turnover.
Nuclear penetration effects in 233U

Abstract Results from precise measurements of the K conversion coefficients for the 300, 312 and 340 keV γ-rays from 233 Pa β − decay reveal nuclear penetration effects for these predominantly M1 transitions. The experimental conversion coefficients, which are about 18% smaller than values from theory neglecting those effects, remove a previous inconsistency in the transition-intensity balance for the decay scheme of 233 Pa and allow a total (6±2)% β − branch to the ground and first-excited states. The measured value of (8.8 ±1.4%) for this intensity and the total K X-ray intensity deduced from the present K conversion coefficients, both confirm the revised decay scheme.
An intralaminar analysis of beta-glucuronidase in cerebral cortex of rat.

— Activities of β-glucuronidase were measured microchemically in the rat within cortical layers and subcortical white matter of somatosensory and visual cortex and the dorsal hippocampus. Distributions were related to histological composition, densities of myelinated fibers, and lysosome content as indicated by acid phosphatase staining. Three zones of relatively high activities were noted. The first corresponded to the pia-arachnoid and has been related to lysosmal particles within pericytes and macrophages of the meninges and in the pial cells. A second peak appeared in layer V and correlated well with the presence of neuronal lysosomes as detected by histochemical reaction. A third contribution was related to the presence of myelinated fibre bundles and white matter. Data from the literature and from unpublished results were cited to support the conclusion that nonlysosomal sources of enzyme in white matter included a major component from particles sedimenting with the microsomal fraction and a small component from myelin.
Myocardial material mechanics: Characteristic variation of the circumferential and longitudinal systolic moduli in left ventricular dysfunction

Active systolic moduli for the circumferential (Eθ) and longitudinal (Eφ) axes of the left ventricle were determined along with circumferential and longitudinal contractile filament stress (σθ and σφ) and circumferential and longitudinal fiber strain (eθ and eφ). These material property parameters were determined at four points during cardiac systole. Thirty-nine patients comprising five clinical groups were evaluated using pressure and volume data acquired from single-plane cineangiography. The results indicate that the active moduli exponentially decrease during cardiac systole. Characteristic variations from normal differentiated the various pathological groups. With compensated volume overload, Eθ was significantly reduced during the latter half of systole (p < 0.25). With decompensated volume overload, both Eθ and Eφ were not significantly different from the normal group throughout cardiac systole. With compensated pressure overload, both Eθ and Eφ were significantly lower than the normal group at end-systole (p < 0.005; p < 0.005). With congestive cardiomyopathy, both Eθ and Eφ were significantly greater during the latter half of systole compared to the normal group (p < 0.05 and p ≤ 0.025).
Rockwell Software: arena advanced

Designed for experienced simulation practitioners, this session surveys several new concepts and advanced features in Arena. Demonstrations include advanced applications in manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, defense, healthcare, call center and business process scenarios.
Participation in unprofessional behaviors among hospitalists: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND: Unprofessional behaviors undermine the hospital learning environment and quality of patient care. OBJECTIVE: To quantify perceptions of, and participation in, unprofessional behaviors among hospitalists. DESIGN: Observational survey study. SETTING: Three academic health centers. SUBJECTS: Hospitalists. MEASUREMENTS: Observation, participation in, and perceptions of unprofessional behaviors. RESULTS: Response rate was 76% (77/101). Nearly all behaviors were perceived as unprofessional (“unprofessional” or “somewhat unprofessional” on the Likert scale). Participation in egregious behaviors (ie, falsifying records) was low (<5%). The most frequent behaviors reported were having personal conversations in patient corridors (67.1%), ordering a test as “urgent” to expedite care (62.3%), and making fun of other physicians (40.3%). Four factors accounted for 76% of survey variance: (1) making fun of others; (2) learning environment (eg, texting during conferences); (3) workload management (eg, celebrating a blocked-admission); and (4) time pressure (eg, signing out work early). Hospitalists with less clinical time (<50% full-time equivalents [FTE]) were more likely to report making fun of others (β = 0.94 [95% CI 0.32–1.56], P = 0.004). Younger hospitalists (β = 0.87 [95% CI 0.07–1.67], P = 0.034) and those with administrative time (β = 0.61 [95% CI 0.11–1.10], P = 0.017) were more likely to report participating in workload management behaviors. Hospitalists who work night shifts were more likely to report participating in time-pressure behaviors (β = 0.67 [95% CI 0.17–1.17], P = 0.010). Workload management and learning environment varied by site. CONCLUSION: While hospitalist participation in unprofessional behaviors is low, job characteristics (clinical, administrative, nights), age, and site were associated with different types of unprofessional behavior that may affect the learning environment and patient care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012;. © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Vibrational and Electronic Absorption Spectroscopy of 2,3-Benzofluorene and its Cation.

Benzofluorene (C17H12) has been studied in argon matrices via Fourier transform infrared and UV−visible absorption spectroscopy. The analysis of the infrared absorption spectra of neutral and cationic 2,3-benzofluorene was supported by density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP/6-311+G** calculations of the harmonic-mode frequencies. Extensive time-dependent DFT calculations of the electronic vertical excitation energies with BLYP/6-31++G** and B3LYP/6-31++G** functionals/basis sets and the Casida−Salahub asymptotic correction were performed to assign the observed electronic absorption bands of the neutral species. Although the observed low-energy absorption bands are predicted well by theory, the higher-energy bands (Sn ← S0 transitions, n ≥ 4) have been assigned only tentatively. However, the observed electronic absorption bands for the parent, singly dehydrogenated cationic and neutral species are in accord with TDDFT (BLYP/6-31G**) results. The possibility that the 2,3-benzofluorene cation contributes to t...
Increased production of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins in the absence of hyperlipidemia in transgenic mice expressing cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase.

Abstract The finding that expression of a cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) transgene in cultured rat hepatoma cells caused a coordinate increase in lipogenesis and secretion of apoB-containing lipoproteins led to the hypothesis that hepatic production of apoB-containing lipoproteins may be linked to the expression of CYP7A1 (Wang, S.-L., Du, E., Martin, T. D., and Davis, R. A. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 19351–19358). To examine this hypothesis in vivo, a transgene encoding CYP7A1 driven by the constitutive liver-specific enhancer of the human apoE gene was expressed in C56BL/6 mice. The expression of CYP7A1 mRNA (20-fold), protein (∼10-fold), and enzyme activity (5-fold) was markedly increased in transgenic mice compared with non-transgenic littermates. The bile acid pool of CYP7A1 transgenic mice was doubled mainly due to increased hydrophobic dihydroxy bile acids. In CYP7A1 transgenic mice, livers contained ∼3-fold more sterol response element-binding protein-2 mRNA. Hepatic expression of mRNAs encoding lipogenic enzymes (i.e. fatty-acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, squalene synthase, farnesyl-pyrophosphate synthase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, and low density lipoprotein receptor) as well as microsomal triglyceride transfer protein were elevated ∼3–5-fold in transgenic mice. CYP7A1 transgenic mice also displayed a >2-fold increase in hepatic production and secretion of triglyceride-rich apoB-containing lipoproteins. Despite the increased hepatic secretion of apoB-containing lipoproteins in CYP7A1 mice, plasma levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were not significantly increased. These data suggest that the 5-fold increased expression of the low density lipoprotein receptor displayed by the livers of CYP7A1 transgenic mice was sufficient to compensate for the 2-fold increase production of apoB-containing lipoproteins. These findings emphasize the important homeostatic role that CYP7A1 plays in balancing the anabolic lipoprotein assembly/secretion pathway with the cholesterol catabolic bile acid synthetic pathway.
Persistence of Respirator Use Learning

Although retraining and repeat fit-testing are needed for respirator users, the optimal frequency is uncertain. The persistence of proper respirator donning/doffing techniques and changes in quantitative fit factor over 6 months after initial training were measured in this study. Initial training was designed for rapid rollout situations in which direct contact with well-trained occupational health professionals may be infeasible. Subjects (n = 175) were assigned randomly to use either a filtering facepiece N95 (FFR) or dual cartridge half facemask (HFM) respirator. Each was assigned randomly to one of three training methods—printed brochure, video, or computer-based training. Soon after initial training, quantitative fit and measures of proper technique were determined. These measurements were repeated 6 months later. In the six-month followup, subjects were randomized to receive either a brief reminder card or a placebo card. Total performance score, major errors, and quantitative fit all became signifi...
Evaluation of medical student self-rated preparedness to care for limited english proficiency patients

Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) represent a growing proportion of the US population and are at risk of receiving suboptimal care due to difficulty communicating with healthcare providers who do not speak their language. Medical school curricula are required to prepare students to care for all patients, including those with LEP, but little is known about how well they achieve this goal. We used data from a survey of medical students' cross-cultural preparedness, skills, and training to specifically explore their self-rated preparedness to care for LEP patients. We electronically surveyed students at one northeastern US medical school. We used bivariate analyses to identify factors associated with student self-rated preparedness to care for LEP patients including gender, training year, first language, race/ethnicity, percent LEP and minority patients seen, and skill with interpreters. We used multivariate logistic regression to examine the independent effect of each factor on LEP preparedness. In a secondary analysis, we explored the association between year in medical school and self-perceived skill level in working with an interpreter. Of 651 students, 416 completed questionnaires (63.9% response rate). Twenty percent of medical students reported being very well or well-prepared to care for LEP patients. Of these, 40% were in their fourth year of training. Skill level working with interpreters, prevalence of LEP patients seen, and training year were correlated (p < 0.001) with LEP preparedness. Using multivariate logistic regression, only student race/ethnicity and self-rated skill with interpreters remained statistically significant. Students in third and fourth years were more likely to feel skilled with interpreters (p < 0.001). Increasingly, medical students will need to be prepared to care for LEP patients. Our study supports two strategies to improve student preparedness: training students to work effectively with interpreters and increasing student diversity to better reflect the changing US demographics.
Challenges and climate of business environment and resources to support pediatric device development

The incidence of pediatric disease conditions pales in comparison to adult disease. Consequently, many pediatric disorders are considered orphan diseases. Resources for the development of devices targeting orphan diseases are scarce and this poses a unique challenge to the development of pediatric devices. This article outlines these challenges and offers solutions.
Essential components of a successful doctoral program in nanomedicine.

The Nanomedicine program at Northeastern University provides a unique interdisciplinary graduate education that combines experiential research, didactic learning, networking, and outreach. Students are taught how to apply nanoscience and nanotechnology to problems in medicine, translate basic research to the development of marketable products, negotiate ethical and social issues related to nanomedicine, and develop a strong sense of community involvement within a global perspective. Since 2006, the program has recruited 50 doctoral students from ten traditional science, technology, and engineering disciplines to participate in the 2-year specialization program. Each trainee received mentoring from two or more individuals, including faculty members outside the student’s home department and faculty members at other academic institutions, and/or clinicians. Both students and faculty members reported a significant increase in interdisciplinary scholarly activities, including publications, presentations, and funded research proposals, as a direct result of the program. Nearly 90% of students graduating with a specialization in nanomedicine have continued on to careers in the health care sector. Currently, 43% of graduates are performing research or developing products that directly involve nanomedicine. This article identifies some key elements of the Nanomedicine program, describes how they were implemented, and reports on the metrics of success.
Reporting of Results in ClinicalTrials.gov and High-Impact Journals

The 2007 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Amendments Act expanded requirements for ClinicalTrials.gov, a public clinical trial registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine, mandating results reporting within 12 months of trial completion for all FDA-regulated medical products. Reporting of mandatory trial registration information on ClinicalTrials.gov is fairly complete, although there are concerns about its specificity; optional trial registration information is less complete.1- 4 To our knowledge, no studies have examined reporting and accuracy of trial results information. Accordingly, we compared trial information and results reported on ClinicalTrials.gov with corresponding peer-reviewed publications.
Thiol−Ene Click Functionalization and Subsequent Polymerization of 2-Oxazoline Monomers

Polymers of 2-oxazolines are a class of polymers that can exhibit water solubility and biocompatibility depending upon the N-acyl side-chain functionality and can be readily modified at both the end-groups and backbone, making them appealing alternatives to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Methods to introduce a range of functionality onto oxazoline monomers are of interest due to the limited availability of functionalized oxazoline monomers. Prepolymerization thiol−ene coupling between a side-chain thiol and 2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline was used to synthesize three different monomers followed by polymerization to yield 2-substituted oxazoline polymers with aryl, ester, protected amine, and protected carboxylic acid side chains. The resulting polymers exhibited molecular weights ranging form 3000 to 8000 and polydispersities typically below 1.3. The deprotection of these polymers was also achieved to yield polymers with reactive functionalities, including a cysteine with either the amine or carboxylic acid expos...
The Application of Fuzzy Control Strategy in Servo Feed Control of Wire Electrical Discharge Machining

In this paper, a detailed discussion of the design of a fuzzy controller for servo feed control in wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) is presented from the viewpoint of industrial application and implementation. The proposed controller contains two control loops. The main loop employs fuzzy logic as a rule-based control strategy for the gap voltage control. The output scaling factor of the fuzzy controller is on-line adjusted to obtain better control performance. A secondary loop is used to maintain machining stability by adjusting the reference voltage. The developed control system is tested under the conditions of approach machining, rough machining, and cutting a workpiece with a corner working path. Experimental results show the developed fuzzy control system is more feasible and effective for commercialised WEDM machines than a proportional controller.
Ionic balance and growth of potatoes as affected by N plus P fertilization

Potato plants were grown in the San Luis Valley of Colorado under irrigation with different N and P levels applied to the soil. Growth rate of stems, leaves and tubers was measured. At three different growth stages the concentration of total N and organic anions or organic salts was determined. The organic anions (C-A) were assumed to equal the difference between the milliequivalents of cations (Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++) and the milliequivalents of inorganic anions (Cl−, NO3 −, H2PO4, SO4 =) in the tissues. Application of N and P fertilizers increased leaf, stem, and tuber growth rates and, consequently, yields. Unfertilized plants had a high level of organic anions. Fertilization increased organic N, NO3 − -N, and P but decreased K and (C-A) in leaves and stems, except for the last leaf sampling where (C-A) of the fertilized plants had increased to the level of (C-A) in unfertilized plants. Fertilization increased Ca and Mg concentrations in stems. Fertilization decreased concentration of total cations and increased P in tubers. The N and (C-A) levels in leaves and stems associated with optimum tuber yield varied linearly with time with the former decreasing and the latter increasing with time. The tuber (C-A) decreased with time.
Preserved cognitive processes in cerebellar degeneration

Aspects of cognitive processing in patients with cerebellar degeneration (CD) were studied in order to examine the validity of recent findings that CD patients demonstrate deficits in visuospatial cognition and verbal-associative learning. Two groups of patients with CD were compared to stratified matched control groups on tests examining selective visual attention, visual spatial attention, mental rotation of geometric designs, and memory for the temporal order of words they were previously exposed to. CD patients performed similarly to their matched controls across all tasks. These results indicate that the reported cognitive deficits of CD patients are quite selective and need further specification in order to more fully describe their relationship to cerebellar dysfunction.
Inherent optical property estimation in ocean water using the Zaneveld-Wells algorithm

The Zaneveld-Wells technique for determining the inherent optical properties of ocean water is based on calculating the angle-integrated moments of the radiant light field at various depths by an inversion algorithm based on the radiative transfer equation. The hypothesis is that N + 1 sensors can be used to obtain N `inherent optical expansion coefficients,' An, from which the single scattering albedo and N-1 expansion coefficients of the volume scattering function can be calculated. We have evaluated the performance and limitations of the proposed algorithm. Results from numerical testing indicate that this technique is a promising way to estimate optical properties of some ocean waters, but attempts to estimate too many expansion coefficients give spurious results for the higher-order coefficients in other cases. Recommendations are given for improving the implementation of the algorithm.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Identification and Characterization of a Second Extracellular Collagen-Like Protein Made by Group A Streptococcus: Control of Production at the Level of Translation

A recent study found that group A Streptococcus (GAS) expresses a cell surface protein with similarity to human collagen (S. Lukomski, K. Nakashima, I. Abdi, V. J. Cipriano, R. M. Ireland, S. R. Reid, G. G. Adams, and J. M. Musser, Infect. Immun. 68:6542-6553, 2000). This streptococcal collagen-like protein (Scl) contains a long region of Gly-X-X motifs and was produced by serotype M1 GAS strains. In the present study, a second member of the scl gene family was identified and designated scl2. The Scl2 protein also has a collagen-like region, which in M1 strains is composed of 38 contiguous Gly-X-X triplet motifs. The scl2 gene was present in all 50 genetically diverse GAS strains studied. The Scl2 protein is highly polymorphic, and the number of Gly-X-X motifs in the 50 strains studied ranged from 31 in one serotype M1 strain to 79 in serotype M28 and M77 isolates. The scl1 and scl2 genes were simultaneously transcribed in the exponential phase, and the Scl proteins were also produced. Scl1 and Scl2 were identified in a cell-associated form and free in culture supernatants. Production of Scl1 is regulated by Mga, a positive transcriptional regulator that controls expression of several GAS virulence factors. In contrast, production of Scl2 is controlled at the level of translation by variation in the number of short-sequence pentanucleotide repeats (CAAAA) located immediately downstream of the GTG (Val) start codon. Control of protein production by this molecular mechanism has not been identified previously in GAS. Together, the data indicate that GAS simultaneously produces two extracellular human collagen-like proteins in a regulated fashion.
The Use of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate to Assist in the Treatment of Sexual Offenders

Within a population of 5132 sexual offenders referred to an outpatient sexual abuse clinic, the first 100 cases receiving Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (MPA) as a long-acting intramuscular injection were retrospectively reviewed and compared to a matching cohort which did not receive the drug. MPA appeared to be a safe and effective short-term supplement to an ongoing treatment program emphasizing behavioral, cognitive, group, and family therapy approaches. Data indicate no interference with concurrent treatment approaches and no irreversible side-effects, although caution is advised regarding prolonged use of this medicine, as long term effects of MPA were not examined. These findings also help in defining the characteristics of sexual offenders who are most likely to need, and to benefit from, MPA. Those with histories of hypersexuality, poor sexual impulse control, developmental disabilities, aggressive sexuality, homosexual pedophilia, multiple paraphilias, and predatory patterns of inappropriate sexual behavior merit consideration for MPA. However, the drug should be employed as an aid, particularly early in therapy, rather than as a treatment by itself. Findings are offered with the caution that data collection and statistical analyses were relatively unsophisticated. Recommendations for further investigation are offered.
Response surface modeling approach for the assessment of the PHEV impact on the grid

This paper proposes an approach to characterize the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) behavior for assessing the impact of PHEVs on the grid based on naturalistic driving information. PHEV behavior is captured by response surfaces of the amount for electric energy consumption and the amount of fuel consumption at arrival with respect to the initial SOC and the driving distance. Response surfaces are created from detailed PHEV simulation results using representative cycles synthesized based on naturalistic driving data. The proposed approach enables computationally efficient prediction of the PHEV impact on the grid with large data-sets.
Lyapunov Adaptive Stabilization of Parabolic PDEs&#8212; Part II: Output Feedback and Other Benchmark Problems

We deal with parametric uncertainties in boundary conditions or reaction terms involving boundary values. We show how adaptive boundary control problems can be solved using output feedback, for unstable PDEs with infinite relative degree. Boundary sensing is employed, along with a Kreisselmeier type adaptive observer. We also design adaptive boundary controllers for a reaction-advection-diffusion system with all three of the coefficients unknown. Our Lyapunov approach yields parameter estimators that do not require the measurement of any of the spatial derivatives of the controlled variable, which are needed in other approaches. The designs in this paper illustrate the requirement in the Lyapunov approach that parameter projection be used in the update laws. Projection is not used as a robustification tool but to prevent adaptation transients that would require overly conservative restrictions on the size of the adaptation gain.
Biochemistry and genetics of eukaryotic mismatch repair.

The process of mismatch repair was first postulated to explain the results of experiments on genetic recombination and bacterial mutagenesis. Mismatch repair has long been known to play a major role in two cellular processes: (1) the repair of errors made during DNA replication or as the result of some types of chemical damage to DNA and DNA precursors; and (2) the processing of recombination intermediates to yield new configurations of genetic markers. More recent studies have suggested that mismatch repair may also be crucial for (1) the regulation of recombination events between divergent DNA sequences that could result in different types of genetic instability (Rayssiguier et al. 1989; Selva et al. 1995; Datta et al. 1996), (2) some types of nucleotide excision repair responsible for repair of physicallchemical damage to DNA (Karran and Marinus 1982; Fram et al. 1985; Feng et al. 1991; Mellon and Champe 1996), and (3) participating in a cell-cycle checkpoint control system by recognizing certain types of DNA damage and triggering cell-cycle arrest or other responses to DNA damage (Hawn et al. 1995; Anthoney et al. 1996). The most extensively characterized general mismatch repair system is the Escherichia coli MutHLS system, which repairs a broad spectrum of mispaired bases and has been reconstituted with purified enzymes. Eukaryotes are known to contain a mismatch repair system that has at least some components that are highly related to key components of the bacterial MutHLS mismatch repair system. The observation that defects in mismatch repair genes are linked to both inherited cancer susceptibility and some sporadic cancers has generated considerable interest in the gene products that function in eukaryotic mismatch repair. The goal of this review is to discuss recent studies on the mechanisms of MutHLSlike mismatch repair in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in humans and to relate insights derived from these studies to human cancer genetics. Given space constraints, i t is difficult to cover everything known about mismatch repair or to reference all of the relevant work that has been done in this area. However, a brief overview of the E. coli MutHLS pathway is presented below to allow comparison of the E. coli and eukaryotic mismatch repair pathways and proteins. For more detailed information, particularly related to bacterial mismatch repair, base-specific mismatch repair systems, and cancer genetics, see other recent reviews (Modrich 1991; Eshleman and Markowitz 1995; Fishel and Kolodner 1995; Friedberg et al. 1995; Kolodner 1995; Marra and Boland 1995; Modrich and Lahue 1996).