cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is There Such a Thing as “Christian” Sex?

It is challenging for Christian pastors and counselors to discuss human sexuality in ways which do not alienate liberals on the left, conservatives on the right, or biologists in the middle. Feminists frequently see males as dominating or insensitive, and conservative Christians sometimes feed into this by emphasizing patriarchal models of marriage as if this were the biblical paradigm for all time. Evolutionary biologists view sexuality primarily as a means of propagating the species. Into this cacophony of strident voices the Christian seeks to inject a calm but clear message: Christian sexuality is primarily a search for intimacy. In a culture obsessed with sexuality as entertainment, the followers of Christ call others to view human sexuality not primarily in terms of eroticism, power, or procreation, but rather in terms of psychological intimacy. From a biblical perspective, becoming “one flesh,” with one's mate also provides the occasion for becoming a co-creator with the eternal I AM. In addition to the procreational potential and orgasmic excitement provided by sexual intercourse, God intended for these encounters to be loaded with an abundance of psychological intimacy. Intimacy is the raison d'etre of sexual relationships. Intimacy provides sexuality with a quality that can mollify crises in the present life, and imbue sexuality with a splendor worthy of the next life as well.
Who Should Have Access to my Pointing Data?: Privacy Tradeoffs of Adaptive Assistive Technologies

Customizing assistive technologies based on user needs, abilities, and preferences is necessary for accessibility, especially for individuals whose abilities vary due to a diagnosis, medication, or other external factors. Adaptive Assistive Technologies (AATs) that can automatically monitor a user's current abilities and adapt functionality and appearance accordingly offer exciting solutions. However, there is an often-overlooked privacy tradeoff between usability and user privacy when designing such systems. We present a general privacy threat model analysis of AATs and contextualize it with findings from an interview study with older adults who experience pointing problems. We found that participants had positive attitude towards assistive technologies that gather their personal data but also had strong preferences for how their data should be used and who should have access to it. We identify a need to seriously consider privacy threats when designing assistive technologies to avoid exposing users to them.
A Multi-modes Monte Carlo Interior Penalty Discontinuous Galerkin Method for the Time-Harmonic Maxwell’s Equations with Random Coefficients

This paper develops an efficient Monte Carlo interior penalty discontinuous Galerkin (IP-DG) method for electromagnetic wave propagation in random media. This method is based on a multi-modes expansion of the solution to the time-harmonic random Maxwell equations. It is shown that each mode function satisfies a Maxwell system with random sources defined recursively. An unconditionally stable IP-DG method is employed to discretize the nearly deterministic Maxwell system and the Monte Carlo method combined with an efficient acceleration strategy is proposed for computing the mode functions and the statistics of the electromagnetic wave. A complete error analysis is established for the proposed multi-modes Monte Carlo IP-DG method. It is proved that the proposed method converges with an optimal order for each of three levels of approximations. Numerical experiments are provided to validate the theoretical results and to gauge the performance of the proposed numerical method and approach.
Abstract IA12: Targeting autopalmitoylation of TEAD transcription factors

TEAD transcription factors bind to the transcription co-activators YAP/TAZ and control the transcriptional output of the Hippo pathway. Deregulation of Hippo-YAP signaling is implicated in diverse human cancers; however, it remains difficult to directly target TEAD-YAP complex with small molecules. We previously reported that TEADs possess intrinsic “enzyme-like” activities and undergo autopalmitoylation. Palmitate binds into a deep hydrophobic pocket and is essential for TEAD protein stability and transcriptional activation. Here we report MGH-CP1 as a small-molecule inhibitor of TEAD autopalmitoylation. We determined the crystal structure of inhibitor-bound TEAD2 and showed that MGH-CP1 binds to the conserved lipid-binding pocket in TEAD2 and displaces palmitate binding. In cells, MGH-CP1 maintains TEAD stability and TEAD-Vgll4 repressor complex and allosterically inhibits TEAD-YAP association and YAP-induced transcriptional activation. Through a large-scale profiling of cancer cell line growth inhibition, followed by intersecting with the Cancer Dependence Map analysis, we demonstrate that the sensitivity to MGH-CP1 treatment correlates significantly with YAP-dependency in a broad range of human cancer cells. Furthermore, we show that MGH-CP1 blocks YAP-dependent liver overgrowth induced by liver-specific Lats1/2 deletion in mice and inhibits xenograft tumor growth of human uveal melanoma cells in vivo. Together, our work suggests pharmacologic inhibition of TEAD palmitoylation as a promising therapeutic strategy for diseases associated with deregulated Hippo signaling, and opens a door to target “autopalmitoylation” of proteins. Citation Format: Xu Wu. Targeting autopalmitoylation of TEAD transcription factors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Hippo Pathway: Signaling, Cancer, and Beyond; 2019 May 8-11; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(8_Suppl):Abstract nr IA12.
Streaming Data Reorganization at Scale with DeltaFS Indexed Massive Directories

Complex storage stacks providing data compression, indexing, and analytics help leverage the massive amounts of data generated today to derive insights. It is challenging to perform this computation, however, while fully utilizing the underlying storage media. This is because, while storage servers with large core counts are widely available, single-core performance and memory bandwidth per core grow slower than the core count per die. Computational storage offers a promising solution to this problem by utilizing dedicated compute resources along the storage processing path. We present DeltaFS Indexed Massive Directories (IMDs), a new approach to computational storage. DeltaFS IMDs harvest available (i.e., not dedicated) compute, memory, and network resources on the compute nodes of an application to perform computation on data. We demonstrate the efficiency of DeltaFS IMDs by using them to dynamically reorganize the output of a real-world simulation application across 131,072 CPU cores. DeltaFS IMDs speed up reads by 1,740× while only slightly slowing down the writing of data during simulation I/O for in situ data processing.
Outpatient Fluoroquinolone Use in Children, 2000-2018.

Background While fluoroquinolones are commonly used in adults, the use in children has been low. Since 2000, there were 3 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Boxed warnings regarding fluoroquinolones (2008, 2013, and 2016). Our objective was to describe the use of fluoroquinolones in children and assess the impact of 3 recent FDA warnings on fluoroquinolone use. Methods From 2000 to 2018, we assessed claims for all outpatient prescription fills to measure the use of systemic fluoroquinolones and other broad-spectrum antibiotics in children less than 18 years old in the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database. We describe demographics, indication for antibiotic, and clinical characteristics. To assess the impact of FDA warnings on fill rates, we conducted an interrupted time-series analysis. Results The cohort included 34.6 million unique beneficiaries less than 18 years old with 441 062 fluoroquinolone fills (5.5 fills per 1000 person-years). The fluoroquinolone fill rate was highest among children > 11 years old. Urinary tract infection was the most common associated diagnosis (21.8%). Since 2008, the fluoroquinolone fill rate has declined. By the end of the study period in December 2018, in the (counterfactual) absence of the FDA warnings, fluoroquinolone fill rate would have been 7.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.2-9.7); however, the corresponding rate in observed data was 2.8 (95% CI: 1.7-3.9). Conclusions Fluoroquinolone use was low compared with other common broad-spectrum antibiotics and declining trends over time were associated with FDA warnings, even though these warnings were not pediatric specific. Future work should assess the adverse events at issue in these warnings in children.
“After Philando, I Had to Take a Sick Day to Recover”: Psychological Distress, Trauma and Police Brutality in the Black Community

Unfortunately, encounters between Black Americans and law enforcement frequently feature violence, resulting in a myriad of negative health influences including increased rates of race-based mortality, chronic stress and trauma. Despite police brutality's increased media coverage, there is a dearth of empirical research surrounding violence at the hands of law enforcement and how it impacts the health of the Black community. Police departments across the country fail to release official data or information related to police brutality; however, technological advancements, such as social media and smart phones, have revolutionized information seeking and dissemination related to brutality. Drawing on Critical Race Theory (CRT), this qualitative study used phenomenological interviews to better understand how Black Americans interpret stories of police brutality and the impact such stories have on one's mental health. Analysis confirmed previous quantitative research, revealing the Black community can be traumatized by viewing graphic images or videos of police brutality. Interviewees reported a constant fear of dying, hyper alertness and lack of coping mechanisms. Findings from this study not only should be used to build health communication models that can address mental health issues, but also should be used as a blueprint to improve police-community relations. Implications are drawn from this study for addressing the issue of police violence in the Black community. Policy recommendations are suggested.
Calculation of rovibrational eigenstates of H3+ using ScalIT

H3+ is a key player in molecular astrophysics, appearing in the interstellar medium and in the atmospheres of gas giants. It also plays an important role in star formation, and it has also been detected in supernova remnants. In theoretical chemistry, H3+ has long been a benchmark polyatomic system for high-level electronic-structure computations, as well as for quantum dynamics studies. In this work, exact quantum dynamical calculations are carried out for H3+, using the ScalIT suite of parallel codes, applied to two spectroscopically accurate potential energy surfaces. Specifically, rovibrational energy levels and wavefunctions are computed and labeled. Sixty vibrational states (for J = 0) are first determined, and then, rotational excitations for each of these “vibrational parent” states are computed up to total angular momentum J = 46, which is the highest value for which bound states of this molecule exist (D0 ∼ 35 000 cm−1). For these calculations, a very tight basis set convergence of a few 10−4 cm−1 (or less) has been achieved for almost all the computed energy levels. Where comparisons can be made, our results are found to agree well with earlier calculations and experimental data.
Trouble of the world: slavery and empire in the age of capital: by Zach Sell, Chapel Hill, The University of North Carolina Press, 2021, 1–340 pp., $32.15 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-4696-6134-6

Trouble of the World: Slavery and Empire in the Age of Capital is an ambitious book that examines what author Zach Sell terms the “terrible convergence” (p. 1) of the expansion of U.S. slavery and ...
A Newly Discovered Late-Cretaceous East Asian Flat Slab Explains Its Unique Lithospheric Structure and Tectonics

The existence of historical flat slabs remains debated. We evaluate past subduction since 200 Ma using global models with data assimilation. By reproducing major Mesozoic slabs whose dip angles sat...
Acute Kidney Injury in the Outpatient Setting: Developing and Validating a Risk Prediction Model

Rationale & Objective Risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) in the hospital have been well studied. Yet, risk factors for identifying high-risk patients for AKI occurring and managed in the outpatient setting are unknown and may differ. Study Design Predictive model development and external validation using observational electronic health record data. Setting & Participants Patients aged 18-90 years with recurrent primary care encounters, known baseline serum creatinine, and creatinine measured during an 18-month outcome period without established advanced kidney disease. New Predictors & Established Predictors Established predictors for inpatient AKI were considered. Potential new predictors were hospitalization history, smoking, serum potassium levels, and prior outpatient AKI. Outcomes A ≥50% increase in the creatinine level above a moving baseline of the recent measurement(s) without a hospital admission within 7 days defined outpatient AKI. Analytic Approach Logistic regression with bootstrap sampling for backward stepwise covariate elimination was used. The model was then transformed into 2 binary tests: one identifying high-risk patients for research and another identifying patients for additional clinical monitoring or intervention. Results Outpatient AKI was observed in 4,611 (3.0%) and 115,744 (2.4%) patients in the development and validation cohorts, respectively. The model, with 18 variables and 3 interaction terms, produced C statistics of 0.717 (95% CI, 0.710-0.725) and 0.722 (95% CI, 0.720-0.723) in the development and validation cohorts, respectively. The research test, identifying the 5.2% most at-risk patients in the validation cohort, had a sensitivity of 0.210 (95% CI, 0.208-0.213) and specificity of 0.952 (95% CI, 0.951-0.952). The clinical test, identifying the 20% most at-risk patients, had a sensitivity of 0.494 (95% CI, 0.491-0.497) and specificity of 0.806 (95% CI, 0.806-0.807). Limitations Only surviving patients with measured creatinine levels during a baseline period and outcome period were included. Conclusions The outpatient AKI risk prediction model performed well in both the development and validation cohorts in both continuous and binary forms.
Correction: Hemorheology: the critical role of flow type in blood viscosity measurements

Correction for ‘Hemorheology: the critical role of flow type in blood viscosity measurements’ by Elahe Javadi et al., Soft Matter, 2021, 17, 8446–8458, DOI: 10.1039/D1SM00856K.
Zinc Overload Increases ROS Production and Induces Senescence by a Nox1-dependent Mechanism in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

Senescence, a hallmark of mammalian aging, is associated with the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease. Angiotensin II (Ang II) signaling and zinc homeostasis dysfunction are increased w...
Entering the Child's Mind: Not a Cookbook: Guidelines for Conducting a Clinical Interview

“I say talk to them. Let them talk to you . And from their conversation always, somewhere, you will find a clue.… You say there was nothing in those conversations that was useful. I say that cannot be so.” Hercule Poirot, in Agatha Christie, The Clocks I hope that by now you are convinced that in the right hands (mouths? minds?) the clinical interview can truly help us to enter the child's mind in a sensitive manner. At the same time, you should realize that the method is extremely difficult to use. It takes great skill and insight to monitor the child's motivation, to reword questions, and to invent discriminating experimental tests, especially when all of this needs to be done “on-line” (or, as we used to say, on the spot). But the difficulty of the clinical interview must not be allowed to detract from its value for research or practice. Many scientific methods take months or even years to master — “reading” x-rays, using a microscope, performing surgical procedures. Does this mean that the methods are unreliable or “unscientific”? No. Good things are often hard to do. In this chapter, I offer guidelines — general principles — for the conduct of the clinical interview. (Some of these principles are unique to the conduct of the clinical interview. Some will also prove helpful as guidelines for any form of testing with children.)
High-pressure structural stability of multiferroic hexagonal R MnO 3 ( R = Y , Ho, Lu)

Structural changes in $R{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}$ ($R=$ Y, Ho, Lu) under high pressure were examined by synchrotron x-ray diffraction methods at room temperature. Compression occurs more readily in the $\mathit{ab}$ plane than along the $c$ axis. With increased pressure, a pressure-induced hexagonal to orthorhombic phase transition was observed starting at \ensuremath{\sim}22 GPa for Lu(Y)MnO${}_{3}$. When the pressure is increased to 35 GPa, a small volume fraction of Lu(Y)MnO${}_{3}$ is converted to the orthorhombic phase and the orthorhombic phase is maintained on pressure release. High-pressure infrared absorption spectroscopy and Mn $K$-edge near-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy confirm that the hexagonal $P$${6}_{3}\mathit{cm}$ structure is stable below \ensuremath{\sim}20 GPa and the environment around the Mn ion is not changed. Shifts in the unoccupied $p$-band density of states with pressure are observed in the Mn $K$-edge spectra. A schematic pressure-temperature phase diagram is given for the small ion $R{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}$ system.
RADIATION PLETHYSMOGRAPH. A NEW BASIS FOR EVALUATING PERIPHERAL CIRCULATION BY THE PRINCIPLE OF PLETHYSMOKYMOGRAPHY.

Summary A new technique for measuring extremity blood flow has been presented. The method is based upon a radio-isotopic, external counting technique for determining the extremity plasma volume. Blood flow rates are then derived from the rate of increase of the extremity plasma volume pursuant to venous occlusion. Recent improvements in external counting equipment should greatly improve the accuracy of these measurements, and provide a clinically feasible means for studying the peripheral circulation.
Stochastic Resonance in a System of Coupled Asymmetric Resonators

A system of three stochastic two-state resonators driven by a harmonic signal is studied. Especially, we focus on the influence of an asymmetry of the resonator on the response of the system. Both systems of symmetric and asym- metric resonators display a non monotonous dependence of the spectral output on the coupling strength. While the amplification of the signal for symmetric coupled resonators is optimized for positive coupling (attractive interaction), in the strong asymmetric case the optimal output is found for negative coupling (repelling inter- action) due to a symmetrization of the system by the coupling.
Two-terminal solid-state THz sources: state-of-the-art and novel devices

Summary form only given. This presentation will review the basic principles of operation and power-generation capabilities and limitations of various types of two-terminal devices including IMPATTs, TUNNETs, TEDs, RTDs and varactor multipliers. A new device will also be presented. As is well known, the power generation capability of solid-state devices is limited by various factors including the critical electric field for breakdown E/sub c/, the saturated velocity of carriers, v/sub s/, the relative dielectric constant of the semiconductor material, /spl epsiv//sub r/, and the thermal resistance of the device. Most of these limitations can be circumvented by utilizing a vacuum-based diode. Therefore the basic properties and power generation capabilities of a vacuum-based diode utilizing tunneling from field-emitters, ballistic motion of carriers in vacuum which also has a relative dielectric constant of unity and good heat sinking capability will be presented. Because of the basic mechanisms involved we will refer to this device as a Ballistic Tunneling Transit Time Diode (BT/sup 3/D).
Protease-activated receptors

Publisher Summary Distinct proteases—best exemplified by serine proteases such as thrombin—are potent cellular activators. Many of these cellular effects are mediated by a group of seven transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors, uniquely activated by proteolytic cleavage [protease-activated receptors (PARs)]. PARs are functionally expressed on a large number of normal and malignant cells and pathogenetically involved in tumor metastases, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and inﬂammation. Murine transgenic knockout studies implicate PAR1 in a developmentally important role during embryogenesis, suggesting a role for thrombin-generating pathways or thrombin-responsive PARs in development. Targeted strategies focusing on design of PAR-specific inhibitors based on the unique mechanisms of PAR activation have been initiated with preliminary success. Serine proteases contain a typical active-site catalytic triad in close proximity that is responsible for the charge relay system evident in all serine proteases. Serine proteases such as thrombin communicate with cells through a unique class of cell-surface PARs are members of a larger family of G-protein-coupled receptors that include α- and β-adrenergic receptors and muscarinic and serotonin receptors, among others. Unlike the latter group of receptors, which signal through standard receptor/ligand interactions, PARs are activated by a unique proteolytic cleavage within the first extracellular loop or by synthetic peptidomimetics corresponding to the new N termini generated after receptor cleavage. At the molecular level, the PARs share a common structural organization, suggesting evolution from a common ancestral gene. Evolutionary cross-species differences between murine and human receptor systems suggest functional divergences yet to be elucidated.
Opening Out the Boundaries: Homage to the Journal of Chinese Philosophy

“Borders” are impermeable limits designed to stop the flow of human beings as well as ideas across them, whereas “boundaries” are permeable enclosure that permit and often encourage movement through limits. I develop the differences between these two forms of edge with a series of historical and geographical examples. I conclude that the Journal of Chinese Philosophy is a sterling instance of a boundary whose entire being has consisted in facilitating the two-way flow of concepts and traditions across formerly closed borders of communication and culture. I offer homage to this extraordinary accomplishment over the past forty years.
Simulating the effect of spatial variability of soil hydraulic properties on microwave brightness temperature over a corn field

Abstract Spatial variability of L-band (21 cm wavelength) microwave brightness temperature over a corn field, caused by spatial heterogeneity of soil hydraulic properties, is simulated by combining physically based models for microwave emission and for dynamics of soil water. The scaling theory is used for the spatial variability of soil hydraulic parameters, the scaling parameter being represented by a histogram corresponding to a log-normal frequency distribution. The mean and the standard deviation of brightness temperatures over a corn field are calculated as a saturated soil dries progressively under clear-sky conditions. Results are presented for two values for the coefficient of variation (CV)of the scaling parameter, namely 0·45 and 0·65, which encompass the range of a few available field observations. For CV=0·45, the mean brightness temperatures are higher and the standard deviations are lower by about 2 deg K compared with those for CV = 0·65. Results of the present simulation suggest that spat...
Being Like Both: Library Instruction Methods that Outshine the One-Shot

Marshall University librarians' efforts to improve library instruction are explored. A history of the libraries' Digital Learning Team (DLT) and its developmental phases is provided, as well as interpretations of evaluative data collected from embedded students. Data from the iSkills assessment of student information literacy skills are considered. The results suggest that library instruction best facilitates student learning when it aligns with specific research goals, utilizes a variety of learning styles, and allows time for practice and assessment. Student feedback suggests the need for additional instruction on citation and emphasis on increasing students' confidence in their research skills.
Parametric design study of a nuclear-pumped laser-driven inertial confinement fusion power plant

In an earlier preliminary design study, we proposed a novel nuclear-pumped laser-driven (NPL) inertial confinement fusion (ICF) power reactor that represents an important variation on the “neutron feedback” concept for ICF. This NPL-driven ICF concept also included an advanced, DT-seeded, D3He-fueled pellet and magnetic protection of the first wall of the reactor chamber. Advantages that were demonstrated for this approach included increased efficiency for laser-to-target energy coupling, increased efficiency for thermalto-electric energy conversion, and reduced neutron activation and waste. The coupling efficiency is enhanced because a nuclear-pumped flashlamp is directly pumped by fission fragments from uranium micropellets within the lamp medium. The thermal conversion efficiency is greater because a large fraction of the ICF pellets thus, neutron-induced activity in the first wall is decreased and safety is increased. The initial study indicated these factors could result in a required driver energy of 5 MJ (vice 10 MJ currently projected) and a pellet gain of only 50 (vice 100 currently projected) for a feasible l,000-MWe power reactor operating with approximately six pellets per second. The current study includes a refined analysis of an NPL-driven ICF power reactor of this type. A cylindrical design for the fission/NPL blanket is selected as a “natural” geometry for pumping the NPL. Required enrichments and criticalities are then predicted for the multiplication of the fusion neutron yield needed to pump the NPL. Based upon these results, we report a more detailed parametric study of the efficiencies for converting neutron, X-ray, and plasma yields from advanced ICF pellets into electrical and optical energy flows required in this concept. We also examined breeding tritium in a lithium blanket layer. Results from these studies help define topics and parameter spaces for further research on this unique reactor concept.
The Effects of Poverty on the Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health of Children and Youth: Implications for Prevention.

This article considers the implications for prevention science of recent advances in research on family poverty and children's mental, emotional, and behavioral health. First, we describe definitions of poverty and the conceptual and empirical challenges to estimating the causal effects of poverty on children's mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Second, we offer a conceptual framework that incorporates selection processes that affect who becomes poor as well as mechanisms through which poverty appears to influence child and youth mental health. Third, we use this conceptual framework to selectively review the growing literatures on the mechanisms through which family poverty influences the mental, emotional, and behavioral health of children. We illustrate how a better understanding of the mechanisms of effect by which poverty impacts children's mental, emotional, and behavioral health is valuable in designing effective preventive interventions for those in poverty. Fourth, we describe strategies to directly reduce poverty and the implications of these strategies for prevention. This article is one of three in a special section (see also Biglan, Flay, Embry, & Sandler, 2012; Munoz, Beardslee, & Leykin, 2012) representing an elaboration on a theme for prevention science developed by the 2009 report of the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine.
The effects of treatment for substance use problems on intimate partner violence: A review of empirical data

Population and clinical studies document an association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and substance use problems. The current review addressed the question of whether, and to what extent, treatment for substance use problems is associated with reductions in partner abusive behavior. Data from naturalistic studies were used to examine the prevalence and frequency of IPV before and after substance use treatment, IPV among stably remitted versus relapsed cases after treatment, and factors that may explain observed reductions in partner violence. On average, the prevalence of IPV was 2-3 times higher before substance use treatment than after treatment, and the relative risk for IPV after treatment was 2-3 times greater for relapsed versus remitted cases. Small to moderate effect sizes were observed for reductions in the frequency of IPV after substance use treatment, with large effects observed for reductions in psychological aggression. Both reduced alcohol consumption and improved relationship functioning appear to account for observed reductions in partner abuse.
FGF21 reloaded: challenges of a rapidly growing field

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a pleiotropic hormone-like protein and a major metabolic regulator. However, several key aspects of FGF21 biology remain poorly understood. Indeed, the list of controversies in the FGF21 field spans a variety of topics, from basic matters such as the anatomic distribution of FGF21 expression and the molecular composition of the FGF21 receptor, to the ultimate question of therapeutic relevance of FGF21-dependent pathways in humans. In this paper, we focus on current challenges in the field in an attempt to provide a balanced overview of FGF21 biology and guide future research into this exciting metabolic target.
Reaching out: connecting students to their personal librarian

Purpose – This paper aims to highlight how librarians at Texas Tech University Libraries are thinking outside the box. Librarians launched services in a number of directions by creating new service points through videos, QR code signs, and roving reference. Personal librarians use videos to introduce themselves, allowing the patron to relate to the librarian on a personal level. Signs with QR codes are posted in areas of the library to assist patrons in locating materials, rooms, or services. Roving reference allows librarians to step out of the library, meeting patrons' needs across campus.Design/methodology/approach – The literature is limited on libraries utilizing videos to promote librarians and roving reference. This paper examines in detail services deployed in the last two years at Texas Tech University Libraries.Findings – The reaction to these services has been mixed. Students responded that videos and roving reference have a personal touch and meet patrons at their point of need. Students have ...
Computing the heat of formation for cubane and tetrahedrane with density functional theory and complete basis set ab initio methods

Abstract The evaluation of three commonly used density functional methods for computing heats of formation for tetrahedrane and cubane were performed. Heats of formation were computed from the total energies of these two strained hydrocarbons and building elements (carbon and hydrogen molecule), with the experimental carbon heat of formation given (169.9 kcal/mol). It was demonstrated that the complete basis set ab initio method computes heats of formation that are very close to the experimental, as well as G2 values. Hybrid density functional theory computes almost identical values and it is recommended as method of choice for computing heats of formation, while local spin density approximation generates energies that are few hundred kcal/mol away from the experimental value and should be avoided for these calculations.
Properties of extruded blends of wheat dried distiller grain flour with other flours

Summary Zero, 10, 20 and 40% dried distiller grain (DDG) from wheat was blended with corn, potato, rice, and wheat flours at total moisture levels of 15 and 22% and extruded in a Brabender laboratory single screw extruder at three sets of barrel temperatures of 80, 130, 160°C; 100, 160, 210°C and 120, 190, 250°C at a constant screw speed (100 r.p.m.), screw configuration (3:1 compression ratio) and die size (3.175 mm). Resulting torque, yield, radial expansion (RA), longitudinal expansion index (LEI), density, water absorption index and colour were measured. All the blends were successfully extruded over a wide temperature range. As the amount of DDG increased, in general torque, yield and RE decreased, and colour darkened while density and LEI increased. Wheat flour was the base material found to vary most from the above trends.
Allotype suppression and epitope-specific regulation

In neonatal (A x B) F1 mice, injections of maternal (A strain) antibody to-the Ig allotype of the paternal (B) strain chronically suppress theproduction of antibodies with the B-strain allotype. Here Leonore Herzenberg describes how, in such animals, this form of suppression influences the control of antibody responses to a thymus-dependent antigen that is subsequently encountered.
Effect of Temperature and Thermal Aging on the Electrical Charactceristics of Film-Type Wire Insulation in Transformer Oil

This paper presents observations and data on various types of film insulations tested under various environmental conditions which show the effect of temperature and thermal aging on the dissipation factor and dielectric strength. A test procedure is suggested for film insulations intended for use in sealed oil-immersed apparatus, whereby the dielectric characteristics are obtained at an aging temperature and under aging conditions.
Sequence-based design of bioactive small molecules that target precursor microRNAs

Oligonucleotides are designed to target RNA using base pairing rules, but they can be hampered by poor cellular delivery and nonspecific stimulation of the immune system. Small molecules are preferred as lead drugs or probes but cannot be designed from sequence. Herein, we describe an approach termed Inforna that designs lead small molecules for RNA from solely sequence. Inforna was applied to all human microRNA hairpin precursors, and it identified bioactive small molecules that inhibit biogenesis by binding nuclease-processing sites (44% hit rate). Among 27 lead interactions, the most avid interaction is between a benzimidazole (1) and precursor microRNA-96. Compound 1 selectively inhibits biogenesis of microRNA-96, upregulating a protein target (FOXO1) and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Apoptosis is ablated when FOXO1 mRNA expression is knocked down by an siRNA, validating compound selectivity. Markedly, microRNA profiling shows that 1 only affects microRNA-96 biogenesis and is at least as selective as an oligonucleotide.
Diuresis and reduction of salt appetite by lateral ventricular infusions of atriopeptin II.

Abstract Infusions of 60 pmol/h atriopeptin II into the lateral ventricles stimulated urine flow in both normally hydrated and sodium depleted conscious rats without any increase in the excretion of sodium, potassium or total solutes. The urinary sodium concentration and osmolality both declined significantly. In addition to the renal effects, cerebroventricular infusions of 60 pmol/h atropeptin II reduced salt appetite in rats following depletion of sodium by combined treatment with furosemide diuresis and low sodium diet. Neither 60 nor 600 pmol/h doses had any effect on urine volume or concentration during intravenous infusions, so the effects apear to be mediated by the central nervous system (CNS). Atriopeptins may act through the CNS to facilitate reduction of extracellular volume in synergy with peripheral natriuresis: (1) by increasing urine flow independently from natriuresis; and (2) by restricting further expansion of extracellular volume by reducing salt appetite.
Wave Propagation in Two Dimensional Periodic Composites

In this paper we present theoretical calculations and experimental results concerning acoustic wave propagation in a 2-D periodic composite. It is known that the microstructure below the length scale of the wavelength affects the macroscale wave and makes the composite dispersive [1,2]. This dispersion manifests as frequency dependent phase and group velocities. We present a mixed variational formulation originally proposed by Nemat-Nasser for the evaluation of the dispersive characteristics of periodic composites. We employ the formulation to calculate the dispersion relation for a two-dimensional composite consisting of brass rods embedded in epoxy. The method allows for the calculation of the band structure of the composite and the identification of the relevant modes through mode shape information. We finally present experimental results on a fabricated sample for the 2-D composite. The experiments include longitudinal and shear wave propagation through the sample. The transmitted energy of the longitudinal and shear waves are used to evaluate the location of the pass-bands and stop-bands and to compare the results with the numerical predictions.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Evaluation of coupled piezoelectric and electromagnetic technique for vibration energy harvesting

Vibration energy harvesting is an attractive technique for potential powering of wireless sensors and other low power micro devices. In order for the device to have maximum power output, it is necessary to match electrical and mechanical damping. In this work a coupled piezoelectric and electromagnetic energy harvesting device is evaluated for its efficiency and compared with optimized standalone piezoelectric and electromagnetic techniques. A piezoelectric cantilever beam with a cylindrical magnet as its tip mass and a resonance frequency of 19 Hz is used, with a coil winding vertically aligned with the magnet such that the magnetic tip would pass through the coil. The total power output from the coupled energy harvesting technique is monitored which produced a power output of ~340 µW compared to 301 µW from an optimized standalone piezoelectric energy harvesting and 120 µW from an standalone electromagnetic energy harvesting device. The total damping in the system is determined to be 0.054 compared to 0.046 and 0.04 for piezoelectric and electromagnetic techniques.
Initial results from the scoop limiter experiment in PDX

Abstract A particle scoop limiter with a graphite face backed by a 50 liter volume for collecting particles was used in PDX. Experiments were performed to test its particle control and power handling capabilities with up to 5 MW of D° power injected into D+ plasmas. Line average plasma densities of up to 8 × 1013 cm−3 and currents up to 450 kA were obtained. Plasma densities in the scoop channels greater than 2 × 1013 cm−3 and neutral densities in the scoop volume greater than 5 × 1014 cm−3 were observed. There is evidence that recycling may have occurred in the scoop channels for several discharges with large line-averaged plasma density. At beam powers up to 2.5 MW, energy confinement times above 40 ms were deduced from magnetics measurements and from transport analysis. Pressures in the vacuum vessel were in the 10 −5 Torr range, and recycling source neutral densities in the central plasma were low.
Blood consult: Therapeutic strategy and complications in the adolescent and young adult with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A 21-year-old woman was diagnosed with B lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after presenting to a community-based medical oncologist with fatigue, fevers, and pancytopenia (white blood cell count 2.3 × 103/μL, hemoglobin 8 g/dL, platelets 42 × 103/L). She was transferred to a regional
Uncertainties of Derived Dewpoint Temperature and Relative Humidity

Abstract This paper presents an evaluation of derived dewpoint temperature and derived relative humidity, in which the dewpoint temperature is calculated using measured ambient air temperature and measured relative humidity variables and the derived relative humidity is calculated from measured dewpoint temperature. The derived dewpoint temperature and relative humidity are calculated using algorithms provided by the World Meteorological Organization. The method of uncertainty analysis, provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is applied to calculate the uncertainties of an indirect measurement of derived dewpoint temperature and derived relative humidity. The results from the uncertainty analyses of derived and observed variables suggest that the use of derived dewpoint temperature and derived relative humidity involves risk because the uncertainties of modern dewpoint temperature and relative humidity sensors can create several degrees Celsius of error in the derived dewpoint temp...
Effects of pinealectomy on adrenal function in vivo and in vitro in female rats.

Female rats were ovariectomized and either sham-pinealectomized or pinealectomized on day 24 of age and exposed to a photoperiod of 12 h light: 12 h dark. In vivo and in vitro measures of adrenocortical function were made at 6,7, and 8 weeks of age (18, 25, and 32 days post-pinealectomy, respectively). Pinealectomy diminished the postcastration rise in adrenal 5α-reductase activity in all age groups (P < .05). The proportionate secretion of corticosterone (compared with the total steroid output) by adrenal slices was likewise enhanced (P < .05) although the secretion and production of corticosterone in vitro was not altered. Pinealectomy substantially diminished (P < .05) the in vivo secretion rates of reduced metabolites of corticosterone (dihydrocorticosterone and tetrahydrocorticosterone) without altering corticosterone secretion. Consequently, proportionate secretion of corticosterone in vivo was also enhanced (P < .05). These findings are consistent with the notion that in ovariectomized rats removal...
DEVELOPING A METATHEORY OF EDUCATION

The disciplines of psychology and education have different purposes as Egan observed in 1983. Psychological metatheories which have been applied to education are shown as inadequate for educational practice. The need for a metatheory of education written by educators and based on instructional goals and objectives unique to pedagogy is noted.
Tests and predictions of the modified cascade model for hadron-, photon-, and lepton-nucleus collisions

The recently proposed space-time model, the modified cascade model, for hadron-nucleus collisions is investigated further and also extended to apply to photon- and lepton-nucleus collisions. Dependences of the multiplicity on incident particle, nucleus, rapidity, and energy, as well as the $A$ dependences of the total inelastic cross sections, are calculated with the model's only free parameter fixed by a normalization as determined in our previous paper. Our results are compared and found to be in agreement with published experimental data from $p$, $\ensuremath{\pi}$, $K$, $\ensuremath{\mu}$, and $\ensuremath{\nu}$ nucleus collisions. Several representative predictions of the model are also presented.
The STARS Alliance: Viable Strategies for Broadening Participation in Computing

The Students and Technology in Academia, Research, and Service (STARS) Alliance is a nationally-connected system of regional partnerships among higher education, K-12 schools, industry and the community with a mission to broaden the participation of women, under-represented minorities and persons with disabilities in computing (BPC). Each regional partnership is led by a STARS member college or university with partners such as local chapters of the Girl Scouts, the Black Data Processors Association, public libraries, Citizen Schools, and companies that employ computing graduates. STARS goals include retaining and graduating undergraduates and recruiting and bridging undergraduates into graduate programs. The alliance works toward these goals through activities that advance the central values of Technical Excellence, Leadership, Community, and Service and Civic Engagement. In particular, all STARS college and university members implement the STARS Leadership Corps (SLC), an innovative model for enveloping a diverse set of BPC practices within a common framework for implementation within multiple organizations, common assessment, and sustainability through curricula integration. Herein, we describe the SLC model and its implementation in the STARS schools, including details of an SLC service-learning course that has been adopted by eight STARS schools. We report the results of our three-year study of the SLC in the 20 STARS schools. Our study found a positive effect of participation in the SLC on important student success variables, including self-efficacy, perceived social relevance of computing, grade point average, and commitment to remain in computing. Results indicate that the SLC model is effective for students under-represented in computing, as well as for those not from under-represented groups.
Robust control design for a wheel loader using H∞ and feedback linearization based methods

The heavy equipment industry is building more and more equipment with electro-hydraulic control systems. The existing industry practices for the design of control systems in construction machines primarily rely on classical designs coupled with ad-hoc synthesis procedures. Such practices produce desirable results, but lack a systematic procedure to account for invariably present plant uncertainties in the design process as well as coupled dynamics of the multi-input multi-output (MIMO) configuration. In this paper, two H(infinity) based robust control designs are presented for an automatic bucket leveling mechanism of a wheel loader. In one case, the controller is designed for the base plant model. In another case, the controller is designed for the plant with a feedback linearization control law applied yielding improved stability robustness. A MIMO nonlinear model for an electro-hydraulically actuated wheel loader linkage is considered. The robustness of the controller designs are validated by using analysis and by simulation using a complete nonlinear model of the wheel loader linkage and hydraulic system.
Interaction of ethylene and CO2

Low levels of carbon dioxide regulate ethylene synthesis and higher levels inhibit ethylene action, but the mechanism for these effects is not known.
Purine transport in polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Abstract The uptake of adenine and xanthine has been studied in rabbit polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes. Since purines were found to enter neutrophils rapidly a technique was developed for taking initial rate samples as quickly as 10 sec, using cell monolayers on glass coverslips. Adenine was found to enter neutrophils by two saturable transport systems, one with a high affinity and a low maximal velocity, the other with a low affinity and a high maximal velocity. Xanthine enters predominantly by a transport carrier that is distinct from either of the adenine systems. In addition some xanthine entry occurs which cannot be overcome by a competitive inhibitor. Within the cell adenine was metabolized to adenosine nucleotides and xanthine to uric acid. Both products accumulated within the cell. From the absence of free adenine within the cell it was concluded that a low concentrations the limiting step to adenine incorporation into nucleotides was its entrance into the cell.