Using a SANE interdisciplinary approach to care of sexual assault victims

BACKGROUND: Many hospitals have recognized the need to develop policies and procedures for female sexual assault victims' prompt access to emergency medical care and for collecting law enforcement evidence. At Lehigh Valley Hospital (Allentown, Penn), care in the emergency department (ED) for sexual assault victims was covered by oncall obstetricians and gynecologists. Although many aspects of rape management were in place, a busy ED with varying levels of physician response and exposure to the process of rape management contributed to a lack of standardized, objective, timely, and compassionate medical management of sexual assault victims. DEVELOPING THE PROGRAM: The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) interdisciplinary approach to care of sexual assault victims was implemented in May 1998. Community education and awareness projects emphasized prevention of sexual assault and domestic violence, as well as minimization of trauma for victims by promoting services that provide a supportive, caring, and healing environment. RESULTS: Comparing a baseline group of 130 sexual assault victims with 39 patients who were evaluated after the SANE approach was implemented indicated increased clinical interaction and significant improvements in quality indicators, such as completeness of evaluation and information gathered relevant to medical-legal issues. DISCUSSION: Law enforcement staff developed a more collaborative relationship with SANE examiners through the interdisciplinary team approach. Collaborative relationships were initiated with several other hospitals in the hospital's integrated delivery system to help offset some of the program's training, continuing education, and on-call costs and to allow for joint outcomes collection. The SANE program became a core ED service in July 1999.     

刚性包带式星箭连接装置解锁分离过程动力学分析

刚性包带式星箭连接装置能够为重型运载火箭提供更高的星箭连接承载能力,但对其分离释放过程的动力学研究尚未深入.该研究建立刚性包带式星箭连接装置非线性动力学分析模型,采用显式动力学仿真法分析了包带接头分离速度、分离冲击响应和捕获运动规律,研究解锁时间和预紧力等因素对分离与捕获过程的影响规律.结果 表明:延长解锁时间和减小预...     

Separation and identification of peptides from gel-isolated membrane proteins using a microfabricated device for combined capillary electrophoresis/nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry

The coupling of microfabricated devices to nanoelectrospray mass spectrometers using both a triple quadrupole and a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (QqTOF MS) is presented for the analysis of trace-level membrane proteins. Short disposable nanoelectrospray emitters were directly coupled to the chip device via a low dead volume connection. The analytical performance of this integrated device in terms of sensitivity and reproducibility was evaluated for standard peptide mixtures. A concentration detection limit ranging from 3.2 to 43.5 nM for different peptides was achieved in selected ion monitoring, thus representing a 10-fold improvement in sensitivity compared to that of microelectrospray using the same chip/mass spectrometer. Replicate injections indicated that reproducibility of migration time was typically less than 3.1% RSD whereas RSD values of 6-13% were observed on peak areas. Although complete resolution of individual components is not typically achieved for complex digests, the present chip capillary electrophoresis (chip-CE) device enabled proper sample cleanup and partial separation of multicomponent samples prior to mass spectral identification. Analyses of protein digests were typically achieved in less than 1.5 min with peak widths of 1.8-2.5 s (half-height definition) as indicated from individual reconstructed ion electropherograms. The application of this chip-CE/QqTOF MS system is further demonstrated for the identification of membrane proteins which form a subset of the Haemophilus influenzae proteome. Bands first separated by 1D-gel electrophoresis were excised and digested, and extracted tryptic peptides were loaded on the chip without any further sample cleanup or on-line adsorption preconcentration. Accurate molecular mass determination (< 5 ppm) in peptide-mapping experiments was obtained by introducing an internal standard via a postseparation channel. The analytical potential of this integrated device for the identification of trace-level proteins from different strains of H. influenzae is demonstrated using both peptide mass-fingerprint database searching and on-line tandem mass spectrometry.     

A wireless electrochemiluminescence detector applied to direct and indirect detection for electrophoresis on a microfabricated glass device

A novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detector is presented in this article. The detector is applied for micellar electrokinetic chromatographic separation of dichlorotris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) hydrate [Ru-(bpy)] and dichlorotris(1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium-(II) hydrate [Ru(phen)] on a microfabricated glass device. It consists of a microfabricated "U"-shape floating platinum electrode placed across the separation channel. The legs of the U function respectively as working and counter electrode. The required potential difference for the ECL reaction is generated at the Pt electrode by the electric field available in the separation channel during electrophoretic separation. Initial experiments demonstrate a micellar electrokinetic separation and direct ECL detection of 10(-16) mol of Ru(phen) (10(-6) M) and 4.5 x 10(-16) mol of Ru(bpy) (5 x 10(-6) M). Also, preliminary results show the indirect detection of three amino acids. The high voltage at the location of detection does not interfere with the electrochemistry.     

On-site analysis of arsenic in groundwater using a microfabricated gold ultramicroelectrode array

Rapid on-site analysis of arsenic in groundwater was achieved with a small battery-powered unit in conjunction with a microfabricated gold ultramicroelectrode array (Au-UMEA). The sensor, consisting of 564 UME disks with a unique gold surface created by electron beam evaporation, was demonstrated to be highly sensitive to low-ppb As3+ using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. The influence of the square wave frequency, pulse amplitude, and deposition potential on the arsenic peak stripping current was investigated. Varying those theoretical parameters yielded results surprisingly similar to those for the thin Hg film case. The performance of the Au-UMEA was evaluated for reproducibility and reliability. Three stability tests showed an average relative standard deviation of 2.5% for 15 consecutive runs. Limits of detection were investigated, and 0.05 ppb As3+ could be measured while maintaining a S/N of 3:1. Interference studies were performed in the presence of 50-500 ppb of Cu2+, Hg2+, and Pb2+. On-site analysis of groundwater containing arsenic was performed with a small battery-powered potentiostat. Quantification was done through standard additions, and these results were compared to the standard EPA methodology.     

An integrated microfabricated device for dual microdialysis and on-line ESI-ion trap mass spectrometry for analysis of complex biological samples

A microfabricated dual-microdialysis device in a single integrated microfabricated platform was constructed using laser micromachining techniques for the rapid fractionation and cleanup of complex biological samples. On-line dual microdialysis and ESI-MS of biological samples was demonstrated using an ion trap mass spectrometer. The mass spectra obtained demonstrated the efficiency of dual microdialysis for removing both high-molecular-weight and low-molecular-weight species that interfere with effective ESI-MS analysis of target biopolymers. Signal-to-noise ratios were also greatly improved compared to direct sample infusion. In addition to its compactness, negligible dead volume, and robustness, the device can be used at a flow rate of only 200 nL/min, an order of magnitude lower than that obtained previously. This reduced sample consumption and improved sensitivity with ESI-MS. The results suggest the potential for integration of such microfabricated devices with other sample manipulations for the rapid ESI-MS analysis of complex biological samples.     

Integration of microfabricated devices to capillary electrophoresis-electrospray mass spectrometry using a low dead volume connection: application to rapid analyses of proteolytic digests.

This report describes the development of a compact and versatile, micromachined chip device enabling the efficient coupling of capillary electrophoresis to electrospray mass spectrometry (CE-ESMS). On-chip separation provides a convenient means of achieving rapid sample cleanup and resolution of multicomponent samples (typically 2-5 min) prior to mass spectral analysis. A low dead volume connection facilitating the coupling of microfabricated devices to CE-ESMS was evaluated using two different interfaces. The first configuration used disposable nanoelectrospray emitters directly coupled to the chip device via this low dead volume junction, thereby providing rapid separation of complex protein digests. The performance of this interface was compared with that of more traditional configurations using a sheath flow CE-ESMS arrangement where a fused-silica capillary of varying length enabled further temporal resolution of the multicomponent samples. The sensitivity and analytical characteristics of these interfaces were investigated in both negative and positive ion modes using standard peptide mixtures. The separation performance for synthetic peptides using a chip coated with amine reagent ranged from 26,000 to 58,000 theoretical plates for a sheath flow CE-ESMS interface comprising a 15-cm CE column. Replicate injections of a dilution series of peptide standards provided detection limits of 45-400 nM without the use of on-line preconcentration devices. The reproducibility of migration time ranged from 0.9 to 1.5% RSD whereas RSDs of 5-10% were observed on peak areas. The application of these devices for the analysis of protein digests was further evaluated using on-line tandem mass spectrometry.     

Numerical analysis of wave generation and propagation in a focused surface acoustic wave device for potential microfluidics applications

We develop a 3-D finite element model of a focused surface acoustic wave (F-SAW) device based on LiNbO/sub 3/to analyze the wave generation and propagation characteristics for devices operating at MHz frequencies with varying applied input voltages. We compare the F-SAW device to a conventional SAW device with similar substrate dimensions and transducer finger periodicity. SAW devices with concentrically shaped focused interdigital transducer fingers (F-IDTs) are found to excite waves with high intensity and high beam-width compression ratio, confined to a small localized area. F-SAW devices are more sensitive to amplitude variations at regions close to the focal point than conventional SAW devices having uniform IDT configuration. We compute F-SAW induced streaming forces and velocity fields by applying a successive approximation technique to the Navier-Stokes equation (Nyborg's theory). The maximum streaming force obtained at the focal point varies as the square of the applied input voltage. Computed streaming velocities at the focal point in F-SAW devices are at least an order of magnitude higher than those in conventional SAW devices. Simulated frequency response indicates higher insertion losses in F-SAW devices than in conventional devices, reflecting their greater utility as actuators than as sensors. Our simulation findings suggest that F-SAW devices can be utilized effectively for actuation in microfluidic applications involving diffusion limited transport processes.     

An application of Trefftz method to the sensitivity analysis of two-dimensional potential problem

This paper presents a new formulation for the sensitivity analysis with the help of the Trefftz boundary-type solution procedure. Direct differentiation of the expressions of the field variables leads to the expressions of the sensitivities. Since the field variables are approximated by linear combination of regular T-complete functions, the analytical expressions of the sensitivities are also regular. Sensitivity analysis schemes with respect to variations of dimensions of the object and boundary conditions are explained in detail. Two-dimensional potential problems in the bounded region are considered as a numerical example in order to confirm its validity.     

Separation of plasma from whole human blood in a continuous cross-flow in a molded microfluidic device

We designed, fabricated, and tested a microfluidic device for separation of plasma from whole human blood by size exclusion in a cross-flow. The device is made of a single mold of a silicone elastomer poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) sealed with a cover glass and is essentially disposable. When loaded with blood diluted to 20% hematocrit and driven with pulsatile pressure to prevent clogging of the channels with blood cells, the device can operate for at least 1 h, extracting approximately 8% of blood volume as plasma at an average rate of 0.65 microL/min. The flow in the device causes very little hemolysis; the extracted plasma meets the standards for common assays and is delivered to the device outlet approximately 30 s after injection of blood to the inlet. Integration of the cross-flow microchannel array with on-chip assay elements would create a microanalysis system for point-of-care diagnostics, reducing costs, turn-around times, and volumes of blood sample and reagents required for the assays.     

大型客车车身振动和声学特性分析

为了解决客车车身振动导致乘员室产生低频噪声的问题,在对车身骨架结构、车室腔体进行模态特性分析和对车身结构进行频响分析的基础上,运用边界元法对车室进行声场分析和车身板块贡献度分析,进而找出车内噪声声压峰值处所对应的振动频率及该峰值下的“噪声源”板块,提出对车身结构的修改建议。     

负刚度摩擦阻尼装置的开发及应用研究

消能减震技术通常需要在多个楼层布置减震装置才能有效降低结构的地震响应,占用了较多的结构空间.针对此种问题提出在底部楼层布置负刚度阻尼装置的减震方案,形成力学上的隔震层,用减震实现类似隔震的效果,以减少阻尼器的布置数量.为实现该减震方案,研发了一种基于氮气弹簧的负刚度摩擦阻尼装置,该装置具有行程大,力学性能稳定等优点.性...     

Development of a rare cell fractionation device: application for cancer detection

Isolating rare cells from biological fluids including whole blood or bone marrow is an interesting biological problem. Characterization of a few metastatic cells from cancer patients for further study is desirable for prognosis/diagnosis. Traditional methods have not proven adequate, due to the compositional complexity of blood, with its large numbers of cell types. To separate individual cells based on their mechanical characteristics, we have developed a series of massively parallel microfabricated sieving device. These devices were constructed with four successively narrower regions of channels numbering /spl sim/1800 per region. As cells traversed the device, they encountered each region and stopped at a gap width that prohibited passage due to their size. Cultured neuroblastoma cells, when mixed with whole blood and applied to the device, were retained in the 10-/spl mu/m-wide by 20-/spl mu/m-deep channels. All other cells migrated to the output. A derivative of the same device was utilized to characterize migration of whole blood. Adult white blood cells were retained at the 2.5-/spl mu/m-wide by 5-/spl mu/m-deep channels, while red blood cells passed through these channels. Devices designed to capture rare cells in peripheral circulation for downstream analysis will provide an important tool for diagnosis and treatment.     

Recent progress in transparent oxide semiconductors: Materials and device application

This paper reviews our recent research progress on new transparent conductive oxide (TCO) materials and electronic and optoelectronic devices based on these materials. First, described are the materials including p-type materials, deep-UV transparent TCO(β-Ga₂O₃), epitaxially grown ITO with atomically flat surface, transparent electrochromic oxide (NbO₂F), amorphous TCOs, and nanoporous semiconductor 12CaO · 7Al₂O₃. Second, presented are TCO-based electronic/optoelectronic devices realized to date, UV/blue LED and UV-sensors based on transparent pn junction and high performance transparent TFT using n-type TCO as an n-channel. Finally, unique optoelectronic properties (p-type degenerate conduction, transfer doping of carriers, RT-stable exciton, and large optical nonlinearity) originating from 2D-electronic nature in p-type layered oxychalcogenides are summarized along with the fabrication method of epitaxial thin films of these materials.     

Electrocatalytic activity of silver modified gold film for glucose oxidation and its potential application to fuel cells

The electrocatalytic activity of the submonolayer silver modified gold film electrodes for the glucose oxidation in alkaline solution and the influences of the electrode size, the glucose concentration and the supporting electrolyte concentration on the reaction were investigated using cyclic voltammetry. The performance of a fuel cell utilizing the glucose oxidation was also evaluated. Gold film electrodes of large size were prepared by evaporating gold onto micas. The submonolayer modification of gold electrodes by silver underpotential deposition resulted in about 0.1 V negative shift in peak potential and a little larger current in the glucose oxidation, and the peak current obtained was proportional to the electrode size and the glucose concentration. The oxidation peak was also affected by the supporting electrolyte, showing a positive shift in potential and a drop in current if a certain concentration of sodium hydroxide was not reached. The catalytic activity of the silver modified gold film electrodes was stable, and a certain power of electricity was obtained with a glucose–air fuel cell.     

Fluid flow and sperm guidance: a simulation study of hydrodynamic sperm rheotaxis

How does a sperm find its way? The study of guidance cues has fascinated sperm biologists and in particular the prospect of rheotaxis, that is a fluid flow orienting the direction of sperm swimming, has been the subject of extensive recent study, as readily motivated by the prospect that such guidance may be active in the mammalian female reproductive tract. For instance, it has been hypothesized that helical sperm flagellar beating is necessary for such guidance, whereas there is an extensive diversity of flagellar beating patterns, with planar sperm beating readily observed in human cells for example. In particular, such cells will not be guided by fluid flow according to hypothesized mechanisms for rheotaxis presented thus far. Here, using simulation methods, we investigate rheotaxis for a wide range of flagellar beat patterns. Providing the virtual sperm firstly does not possess a tightly circling trajectory in the absence of a background flow and secondly, remains within a region of low shear to prevent being washed away by the background flow, rheotaxis is generally observed with the sperm swimming into the flow together with a possible transverse velocity. Tight circling sperm motility, as observed in select hyperactivated sperm and CatSper mutants, is predicted to disrupt the rheotactic response, whereas confinement to low shear regions generally requires boundary accumulation, thus introducing subtleties in the relationship between rheotactic behaviours and the flagellar waveform and sperm characteristics. Nonetheless, such predictions suggest such rheotactic guidance may be more common and robust than previously thought, and we document simple criteria for the presence of rheotaxis that are consistent with our simulations and understanding, as well as reported observations to date.     

Using a system-on-a-chip implantable device to filter circulating infected cells in blood or lymph

This paper describes a system on a chip (SoC) that makes use of nanoscale cellular adhesion mechanisms in an integrated electronic microsystem to filter infected cells from blood or lymph. An example of a human immunodeficiency virus-specific SoC is explored in depth. Such systems work in vivo, and blood and lymph are filtered on a continuous basis. With the intelligence on the chip, captured cells can be identified and lyzed, expelled, or otherwise acted upon. These types of systems transfer the burden of research from traditional chemotherapy to bioengineering and system design.     

Accurate analytical measurements in the atomic force microscope: a microfabricated spring constant standard potentially traceable to the SI

Calibration of atomic force microscope?(AFM) cantilevers is necessary for the measurement of nanonewton and piconewton forces, which are critical to analytical applications of AFM in the analysis of polymer surfaces, biological structures and organic molecules at nanoscale lateral resolution. We have developed a compact and easy-to-use reference artefact for this calibration, using a method that allows traceability to the SI (Système International). Traceability is crucial to ensure that force measurements by AFM are comparable to those made by optical tweezers and other methods. The new non-contact calibration method measures the spring constant of these artefacts, by a combination of electrical measurements and Doppler velocimetry. The device was fabricated by silicon surface micromachining. The device allows AFM cantilevers to be calibrated quite easily by the 'cantilever-on-reference' method, with our reference device having a spring constant uncertainty of around ± 5% at one standard deviation. A simple substitution of the analogue velocimeter used in this work with a digital model should reduce this uncertainty to around ± 2%. Both are significant improvements on current practice, and allow traceability to the SI for the first time at these nanonewton levels.     

Effect of film and device annealing in polymer:polymer solar cells with a LiF nanolayer

We report the effect of thermal annealing on the performance of polymer:polymer solar cells with a lithium fluoride (LiF) nanolayer inserted between active layer and electron-collecting electrode. The active layer was prepared using blend films of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT). Film annealing and device annealing were separately performed at 150 °C for 30 min to understand the influence of the existence of LiF nanolayer during thermal annealing. Results showed that both film and device annealing did considerably improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of P3HT:F8BT solar cells though the PCE was higher in the case of device annealing. The surface analysis suggested that the improved device performance by thermal annealing is attributed partly to the formation of planar p-n junction structure in the P3HT:F8BT blend film during thermal annealing.