cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Health Belief Model: A Decade Later:

Since the last comprehensive review in 1974, the Health Belief Model (HBM) has continued to be the focus of considerable theoretical and research attention. This article presents a critical review of 29 HBM-related investigations published during the period of 1974-1984, tabulates the findings from 17 studies conducted prior to 1974, and provides a summary of the total 46 HBM studies (18 prospective, 28 retrospective). Twenty-four studies examined preventive-health behaviors (PHB), 19 explored sick-role behaviors (SRB), and three addressed clinic utilization. A "significance ratio" was constructed which divides the number of positive, statistically-significant findings for an HBM dimension by the total number of studies reporting significance levels for that dimension. Summary results provide substantial empirical support for the HBM, with findings from prospective studies at least as favorable as those obtained from retrospective research. "Perceived barriers" proved to be the most powerful of the HBM dimensions across the various study designs and behaviors. While both were important overall, "perceived susceptibility" was a stronger contributor to understanding PHB than SRB, while the reverse was true for "perceived benefits." "Perceived severity" produced the lowest overall significance ratios; however, while only weakly associated with PHB, this dimension was strongly related to SRB. On the basis of the evidence compiled, it is recommended that consideration of HBM dimensions be a part of health education programming. Suggestions are offered for further research.
Evidence for Specialized Fibers in the Canine Right Atrium

Right atria from excised beating dog hearts were immersed in Tyrode solution with the endocardial surface of the anterior wall exposed. Glass microelectrodes were used to impale fibers in different anatomical areas of this preparation. Fibers with action potentials similar in contour to those of ventricular Purkinje fibers were found along the caval border of the crista terminalis in the area of the posterior internodal tract. The action potential of these fibers (plateau fibers) had a resting potential of -85 to -95 mv, a sharp spiked overshoot, a long plateau phase, and inherent diastolic depolarization. The maximum velocity of the action potential upstroke of plateau fibers was consistently greater than that of simultaneously recorded fibers which lacked a plateau phase (regular fibers). Epinephrine or isoproterenol produced an increase in both rate and magnitude of diastolic depolarization of plateau fibers and on occasion converted them to true pacemakers. Acetylcholine accelerated repolarization of ...
Robotics as Moral Philosophy

The relationship between philosophy and computer engineering is considered, with particular emphasis upon the design of artificial moral agents. Top-down vs. bottom-up approaches to ethical behavior are discussed, followed by an overview of some of the ways in which traditional ethics has informed robotics. Two macro-trends are then identified, one involving the evolution of moral consciousness (conscience) in man and machine, the other involving the fading away of the boundary between the real and the virtual.
The autoimmune nature of aqueous tear deficiency.

Twenty-two patients with aqueous tear deficiency (ATD) were examined for the presence of the following autoantibodies: immunofluorescent antinuclear antibody (ANA) and Sjogren's syndrome antibodies A and B (SS-A and SS-B). These autoantibodies were found in 17 (82%) patients but not in control subjects, and they correlated with the severity of symptoms and ocular surface changes. Bacterial keratitis, often recurrent and bilateral, and progressive sterile corneal stromal melting developed in six autoantibody-positive ATD patients. Eight antibody-positive patients had labial salivary or lacrimal gland biopsies, and all showed similar histologic features with marked destruction of the glandular architecture by lymphocytic infiltration. Immunoglobulin and complement were not detected in the glandular tissue. Circumstantial evidence suggests that an abnormal immunologic reaction, possibly related to Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) infection, is the cause of the glandular destruction and tear deficiency.
Practice trends in the utilization of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in pediatric neurosurgery as a function of complication rate, and patient-, surgeon-, and procedure-related factors.

Objective Higher benchmarks in safety for patients undergoing neurosurgery have been introduced. With these principles, new tools and techniques were established, including intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM). Current trends as a function of patient-, surgeon-, and procedure-related factors and complication rates in the utilization of IONM as an adjunct to the practice of pediatric neurosurgery have not been investigated previously. Methods Between 2008 and 2011, 4467 neurosurgical procedures were performed on 2352 patients at Texas Children's Hospital. A retrospective chart review was performed in which surgeon, procedure, and patient characteristics, as well as perioperative complications, were recorded for IONM and non-IONM cases. Results Neurosurgical procedures performed with IONM steadily increased. Surgeon-related factors associated with IONM use included surgeons with P P P = .0048). Procedure-related factors associated with IONM use included operations involving the spinal cord ( P P P Conclusions The percent of procedures performed with IONM increased. However, these trends do not seem governed by improvement to patient outcomes because the complication rates were higher in the IONM cohort than the non-IONM cohort.
Discrete-time instantaneous frequency and its computation

Classical results indicate that the means of the Fourier and instantaneous frequencies are exactly equal and the weighted variance of the Fourier frequency is greater than or equal to that of the instantaneous frequency. These results are investigated for the discrete case in which the signal and its spectrum are both assumed to be periodic. Specifically, the cases in which the discrete-time instantaneous frequency is defined as the forward, backward, and central differences are discussed. A simple algorithm for computing the discrete-time instantaneous frequency is presented whereby descriptors for the characterization of the signal are constructed. The application of this algorithm is discussed through examples. >
Pragmatic Reflections on a Conversation About Grounded Theory in Management and Organization Studies

This commentary offers reflections on the conversation about grounded theory in management and organization studies. It highlights the institutional context in which we are having this conversation, noting its consequences for grounded theory practice. It also raises questions about the definition and boundaries of grounded theory, including the role of theory in the analytic process, and it argues for a pragmatic consideration of its research practices.
The Global Leadership of Virtual Teams in Avatar-Based Virtual Environments

This research is part of an ongoing study of the usefulness of avatar-based collaborative environments in comparison to software platforms that mostly utilize audio and video in two dimensional settings like those used in GoToMeeting/Traning. Second Life is explored as a viable option for avatar-based collaborative teams and other telework. This research investigated a potential relationship between engagement, in terms of leader-member exchange and team interaction in software platforms that utilized an avatar-based collaborative environment in relation to one that did not. This initial pilot study examining feedback gathered from user experience of engagement and leader-member exchanges is used to develop insight into the proper instrument selection that will be utilized to conduct a larger quantitative study. A mixed methods approach consisting of inquiry from past instruments that measure engagement (Gajendra et al., 2012), satisfaction (Camman et al., 1998), social presence within a virtual environment (Witmer & Singer, 1998) and the technology acceptance model (TAM)(Shroff, Deneen, & Ng, 2011) is used. The findings suggest that avatar-based environments may impact leader-member exchange through increased engagement.
The Response of Plasma Triglyceride, Cholesterol, and Lipoprotein Lipase to Treatment in Non-insulin-dependent Diabetic Subjects Without Familial Hypertriglyceridemia

The effects of treatment on plasma total triglyceride, total cholesterol, and plasma postheparin lipase activities have not been evaluated in non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDD) subjects without a coexisting familial lipid disorder. In 49 untreated NIDD subjects, there was a linear relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) and triglyceride (r = 0.35, P To determine whether changes in lipid removal from plasma may contribute to the decrease in plasma lipid concentrations during treatment, the plasma postheparin lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities were evaluated in a subgroup (N = 8) of these NIDD subjects before and after 1 and 3 mo of therapy. Plasma postheparin hepatic lipase activity in the NIDD subjects was not different from that observed in six normal control subjects and did not change during therapy. In contrast, plasma postheparin lipoprotein lipase activity was lower in the untreated NIDD subjects than in the control subjects. Analysis of the two phases (early and late) of the postheparin lipoprotein lipase activity in plasma showed that the abnormal early phase in untreated NIDD corrected to normal values in less than a month, but the late phase was not corrected until the 3-mo measurement. These findings suggest that some NIDD subjects have a defect in heparin releasable lipoprotein lipase activity, which is reversed with improved glycemic control. This defect in lipoprotein lipase could contribute to the elevation in plasma triglyceride concentration by limiting triglyceride removal from plasma.
Tomicus piniperda (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) shoot-feeding characteristics and overwintering behavior in Scotch pine Christmas trees.

Overwintering behavior of Tomicus piniperda (L.) was studied in a Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Christmas tree plantation in Indiana (1992-1994) and a plantation in Michigan (1994). In general, adults feed inside shoots during summer, then move to overwintering sites at the base of trees in autumn. In early autumn, adults were most often found in shoot-feeding tunnels that were still surrounded by green needles, whereas few were in tunnels surrounded by yellow or brown needles. For all years and sites combined, the range in the percentage of recently tunneled shoots that contained live T. piniperda adults decreased from 89 to 96% in mid-October, to 15-66% in early November, to 2-10% in mid-November, and to 0-2% by late November to early December. In each year, the first subfreezing temperatures in autumn occurred in October, before most adults left the shoots. Of 1,285 T. piniperda-tunneled shoots, one to seven tunnels (mean = 1.6) and zero to three adults were found per infested shoot. Of these 1,285 attacked shoots, 55% of the shoots had one tunnel, 33%had two, 9%had three, 3%had four, and < 1%had five to seven tunnels each. When two or more tunnels occurred in a single shoot, adults were most commonly found in the innermost (most basal) tunnel. For the 2,070 tunnels found in the 1,285 shoots, average shoot thickness at the tunnel entrance was 6.0 mm, average distance from the tunnel entrance to the shoot tip was 6.3 cm, and average tunnel length was 2.3 cm. Four Scotch pine Christmas trees were dissected in January 1993. Eighty percent of the tunneled shoots were in the upper quarter of the tree crown and 98% were in the upper half. For the four trees inspected in January, one live adult was found in a shoot and 85 adults were found in the outer bark along the lower trunk from 1cm below the soil line to 19 cm above the soft line. No overwintering adults were found outside the trunk in the duff or soil near the base of each test tree. Implications of these results are discussed in terms of surveying, timing the cutting of Christmas trees, and cutting height for Christmas trees.
Introduction, Scope, and Definitions

This chapter attempts to motivate the student for the course. Why should he or she study modeling and simulation? What can these techniques do for him or her that other techniques might not? We shall start out with some basic definitions of terms that will be used in this text over and over again, such as the terms “system,” “experiment,” “model,” and “simulation.” We shall then discuss good and bad reasons for using modeling and simulation as problem-solving tools. Finally, we shall list areas of science and engineering to which modeling and simulation have been successfully applied, and we shall explain what makes these various application areas different from each other and why the modeling and simulation approaches taken in these application areas vary so drastically from each other.
Night vision goggles and in-flight evaluation of the inside/outside refocusing problems in a uh-1h helicopter

Rotary wing aircraft are being tactically flown closer and closer to the ground in an effort to take maximum advantage of concealment and protection afforded by trees, man-made structures and terrain features. In recent years, night vision goggles have been used to aid the pilot in his/her flight duties. It has been noted, however, that visual transition from the outside environment into the cockpit (and vice versa) requires manual refocusing of the goggles. This requires the pilot to remove his hand from one or the other of the controls, thus compromising safe flight. In this study, eight U.S. Army aviators hovered an instrumented Army JUH-1H helicopter ten feet above the ground at night under four visual conditions using the unaided eye (normal night vision) and three configurations of the AN/PVS-5 night vision goggles (NVG). The NVG configurations included: (1) 40° field-of-view piano tubes focused at infinity; (2) a bifocal arrangement in which the bottom 14% of the field was focused at approximately 22 inches; and (3) a bifocal arrangement with the bottom 24% focused at 22 inches. Aircraft status and control position monitors were scanned at a rate of 20 times per second and recorded on a seven-track magnetic tape via the helicopter in-flight monitoring system (HIMS). Subsequent review and analysis of these data indicate no significant difference between configurations in terms of control movements. In terms of aircraft status variables, radio measured altitude indicated a large variability under the 40° piano NVG. However, hover behavior stabilized significantly in the bifocal condition. Subjective pilot responses supported these observations. Language: en
Knowledge, attitudes and intentions of American women regarding the hormonal implant.

In the US almost 50% of the 1669 women 20-37 years old who participated in the 1991 National Survey of Women had heard of the hormonal contraceptive implant. White women educated women working women women making more than $15000/year and women not on public assistance had higher awareness levels of the implant than their counterparts. An analysis of the 724 women with awareness of the implant was conducted. Most of these women knew that the implant is inserted under the skin (97.1%) and effective at preventing pregnancy (86.3%). A considerable percentage of women did not know its effectiveness (28%) its reversibility (35%) and the speed with which fecundity returns after implant removal (70%). The women who had the highest knowledge were white educated and nulliparous or primiparous. Women who wanted children and those from the West and Northeast were also more knowledgeable about the implant than their counterparts. Just 33% of the 724 women would use the implant. Women who were most inclined to use the implant in the future were young (20-24 years 40.4% vs. about 30.3%; p 2; p < .001 and < .05 respectively) childbearing intentions (OR = 1.42; p < .05) and the contraceptive method currently being used (OR = 1.85 for no method and 1.82 coital methods other than condom; p < .05 and < .01 respectively).
Performance of Growing Turkey Hens as Influenced by Supplemental Dietary Fat and Different ME:Nutrient Ratios

Abstract Rate of gain and feed efficiency of growing hen turkeys from 1 to 126 days of age was improved by supplementing diets with a blended fat at levels ranging from 2 to 8%. The favorable response to supplemental fat occurred with diets based on corn or milo with the greatest responses obtained with the corn-based diets. There was no significant difference in body weight and feed efficiency between the hens receiving diets in which the concentration of nutrients were adjusted with increases in metabolizable energy (ME) concentration or diets in which nutrient concentrations remained constant (nonadjusted) irrespective of ME level. Body weight of hens at 126 days of age was increased from .4 to 1.8% for each 1% supplemental fat on the basis of regression analysis. Feed efficiency improvement varied from 1.4 to 1.5% for each 1% supplemental fat. Efficiency of protein utilization was improved significantly by the addition of supplemental fat, occurring primarily with the nonadjusted diet series. Efficiency of ME utilization was improved in both diet series by supplemental fat. Supplemental fat improved protein efficiency of milo-based diets but had no effect on ME utilization. Hens receiving fat-supplemented, corn-based diets exhibited a higher percentage of pendulous crops as compared with hens receiving the control corn diet or the milo-based diets.
Responses of Male Diabrotica balteata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to Stereoisomers of the Sex Pheromone 6,12-dimethylpentadecan-2-one

Results of field trapping experiments indicate that the bioactive form of the female sex pheromone of the banded cucumber beetle, Diabrotica balteata LeConte, is ( R, R ) 6,12-dimethylpentadecan-2-one. The three other stereoisomers of this chemical do not attract males into traps and do not appear to inhibit the capture of males by the bioactive isomer. A 300-μg load of the RR isomer on a rubber stopper is an effective bait for field use. The racemic material loaded at 1,200 μg was equally as effective. Captures of males declined significantly with baits whose RR content was >300 μg. Comparison of two different batches of racemic material revealed a small but significant difference in their effectivenessin trapping males. The reason for this difference is not known.
Measurement of Primary Process Content in Paintings

In order to investigate whether rating scales could be used to measure primary process content in paintings, a study of responses to a series of nine nineteenth- and twentieth-century paintings was...
Colorfastness properties of persimmon dye on cotton and wool substrates

Persimmon dye is a natural dye potentially used to promote sustainable textile industry. In this article, cotton and wool fabrics were dyed with persimmon dye. The performance of the dye was characterized using color strength and appearance analysis (ColorQuest), American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists colorfastness tests, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed color strength of dyed cotton and wool fabrics was enhanced with increasing dye concentration and dyeing times. The comparison between cotton and wool suggested persimmon dye exhibits better dyeing performance (higher color strength and higher colorfastness ratings) on wool fabrics than on cotton fabrics. The FTIR analysis indicated no significant chemical reactions or changes in persimmon dye occurred to dyed fabrics, suggesting negligible impact on chemical and physical properties of the dyed fabrics. The reported results are valuable in exploring the opportunity of using persimmon dye as a useful na...
Trace link evolution across multiple software versions in safety-critical systems

Traceability is defined by the Center of Excellence for Software Traceability as "the ability to interrelate any uniquely identifiable software engineering artifact to any other, maintain required links over time, and use the resulting network to answer questions of both the software product and its development process". It is an essential element in the software development process, especially for Safety-Critical systems where trace links are used to demonstrate that all hazards and faults are mitigated in the delivered system. Maintaining trace links as a software system evolves over time is difficult, error-prone and costly. As a result, trace links tend to become outdated and safety-cases, which rely on trace links and associated data to compose arguments and evidence for system safety are invalidated. In practice, software developers must therefore painstakingly update trace links in order to re-validate safety-cases whenever they seek re-certification of their product. While a significant body of work exists in the area of trace link creation, very limited research has focused on the problem of link evolution. The goal of this dissertation is therefore to deliver an accurate, scalable, and practical approach for supporting trace link evolution across a diverse set of software artifacts including requirements, source code and safety cases.
Functional and Structural Studies on the Neisseria gonorrhoeae GmhA, the First Enzyme in the glycero-manno -heptose Biosynthesis Pathways, Demonstrate a Critical Role in Lipooligosaccharide Synthesis and Gonococcal Viability

Sedoheptulose-7-phosphate isomerase, GmhA, is the first enzyme in the biosynthesis of nucleotide-activated-glycero-manno-heptoses and an attractive, yet underexploited, target for development of broad-spectrum antibiotics. We demonstrated that GmhA homologs in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis (hereafter called GmhAGC and GmhANM, respectively) were interchangeable proteins essential for lipooligosaccharide (LOS) synthesis, and their depletion had adverse effects on neisserial viability. In contrast, the Escherichia coli ortholog failed to complement GmhAGC depletion. Furthermore, we showed that GmhAGC is a cytoplasmic enzyme with induced expression at mid-logarithmic phase, upon iron deprivation and anaerobiosis, and conserved in contemporary gonococcal clinical isolates including the 2016 WHO reference strains. The untagged GmhAGC crystallized as a tetramer in the closed conformation with four zinc ions in the active site, supporting that this is most likely the catalytically active conformation of the enzyme. Finally, site-directed mutagenesis studies showed that the active site residues E65 and H183 were important for LOS synthesis but not for GmhAGC function in bacterial viability. Our studies bring insights into the importance and mechanism of action of GmhA and may ultimately facilitate targeting the enzyme with small molecule inhibitors.
“Erythemogenic” Phototherapy for Select Patients Who Need It

The optimal amount of light for maximal effectiveness is thought to be near the minimal erythema dose (MED), which is the dose at which the skin turns slightly erythematous or pink. Deliberately administering a dose of light consistent with the patient’s MED is called “erythemogenic” phototherapy. For patients who can tolerate induction of mild erythema without symptoms of burning or discomfort, the erythemogenic phototherapy strategy is an option in order to maximize the speed of improvement and overall efficacy. This strategy can also be used if the sub-erythemogenic dosimetry strategy leads to “stalemate” at a point of improvement that is less than satisfactory for the patient.
Science and Politics: Do People Support the Conduct and Dissemination of Politicized Research?

Three studies investigated how ethical people believe it is to suppress politicized research findings and how strongly they support research on politicized topics. In general, participants reported that it is unethical to suppress research findings and that they support the conduct of politicized research, regardless of whether the findings or topics supported or opposed their views. Even so, liberals and conservatives reported that it is less unethical to withhold the publication of research findings that challenge vs. support their views and stronger support for research aligned with their ideology. Politically active participants were especially likely to demonstrate partisan support for science. Together, these findings suggest that although people explicitly endorse the conduct and dissemination of politicized research, their politics still influence their support for research consistent versus inconsistent with their views.
The Effect of Impurities on the Ideal Tensile Strength of Covalent Crystals - AB-Initio Quantum Molecular Dynamics Calculations

Using first-principles electronic structure calculations in the local density approximation combined with lattice dynamics, we investigate the effect of III/V impurities on the ideal strength of covalent solids (C, Si, and Ge). Our results show that undoped crystalline solids are stronger in tension along [111] than n-type crystalline solids. P doping has a negligible effect on ideal tensile strength, while n-type doping causes a small reduction in strength of about 6%. The n-type impurity effect is due to the negative (repulsive) contribution from the bottom state of the distorted conduction band to the ideal strength of the solid.
SnapShot: Tissue Clearing

Tissue clearing has become an important tool for the investigation of biological systems in three dimensions. However, many pioneering techniques were based on serendipitous discoveries. Next-generation clearing methods have been (re)designed with a better understanding of the chemistry and physics required to equalize the refractive index throughout a sample which prevents the random bending of light that clouds biological tissues.
Toward Identifying Mild Cognitive Impairment in Hispanic and African American Adults

Across the breadth of acquired neurogenic communication disorders, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may go undetected, underreported, and untreated. In addition to stigma and distrust of healthcare ...
Walkability, transit, and body mass index: A panel approach

Abstract Researchers and advocates have increasingly drawn connections between individuals’ transportation choices and healthy body weight, and most have found a connection. This paper improves on prior research by using panel data spanning 1999 to 2013 from the nationally (U.S.) representative Panel Study of Income Dynamics (N = 23,605 observations of 4870 individuals) to assess the connection between Body Mass Index (BMI) and transit availability, the use of transit, residential density, and neighborhood walkability. I further assess whether those who move to transit-richer, denser, or more walkable neighborhoods see systematic changes in body weight over time. The model results suggest that changes in one's transportation environment and travel behavior may be associated with reductions in BMI; for example, for the average-height man (5’11”, 1.75 m), moving from the worst to best transit environment is associated with a reduction in body mass of nearly five pounds (2.2 kg), and moving from the worst to best pedestrian environment with a reduction in body mass of about two pounds (
Gaining Valuable Field Experience Through the Use of Informal Learning Environments

Informal field experiences can be a powerful mechanism for exposing preservice and inservice teachers to unique opportunities to experience content in ways different than how they were trained and/or different than how their current environment supports it. Additionally, they provide a low-stakes environment to practice and hone important teaching skills and knowledge. In this qualitative study, we examine how a robotics course in an educator preparation program that required a field experience in an informal learning environment impacted its participants. Three themes emerged from their reflections and interviews: (a) development of a better understanding of STEM; (b) increased knowledge and enlightenment of instructional practices, especially the importance of asking good questions; and (c) students’ increased interest and excitement in learning STEM content. Through participation in the robotics course and the required informal field experience, teachers learned more about classroom instruction, students, classroom management, and what sustained engagement looked like through this low-stakes authentic experience. Additionally, they saw firsthand the importance and necessity of creating a positive classroom community (e.g., growth mindset).
Children’s Thinking about HIV/AIDS Causality, Prevention, and Social Interaction

Guided by both a Piagetian and a naive theories perspective on disease concepts, this study examined children’s thinking about HIV/AIDS, with special attention to its development, coherence, and sociocultural correlates. It examined age differences among Mexican-American and Euro-American children aged 8 to 13 (N = 158) in both Piagetian level of causal understanding (independent of correctness) and the causal knowledge central to an intuitive theory of AIDS (knowledge of risk behaviors and of the viral disease agent). It explored theoretical coherence in terms of implications of causal understanding and causal knowledge for knowledge of how to prevent AIDS and willingness to interact with people who have it. As predicted, scores on all measures increased significantly with age, and causal knowledge of risk factors exceeded knowledge of corresponding prevention rules. In multiple regression analyses, causal knowledge of both risk factors and the viral disease agent predicted knowledge of prevention and willingness to interact, even with age and other measures controlled. Prevention knowledge predicted willingness to interact even better, whereas the Piagetian measure of casual understanding did not predict either prevention knowledge or willingness to interact. Ethnic group differences were not evident but parent education was related to greater viral knowledge and willingness to interact. The results suggest a good deal of coherence in children’s thinking about this disease while also suggesting the desirability of making explicit the implications of critical causal information about an unfamiliar disease for preventing the disease without stigmatizing those who have it.
Bioinformatics for medical students: a 5-year experience using OMIM® in medical student education.

Given advances in genomic medicine, medical students need increased confidence in clinical genetics skills to address multiple genetic conditions. After success of first-year medical school instruction in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM®) database, we report the impact on gaining confidence in broad clinical genetics skills in 5 subsequent years. We collected 5 years of successive pre- and postintervention survey based self-assessments on medical student use of genetic medicine information resources and confidence in genetic medicine skills. To assess retention of confidence in these skills, we administered a follow-up survey to students after 1–2 years of clinical rotations. We found a consistent, statistically significant increase in students’ confidence in clinical genetics skills after the first-year OMIM educational session, with confidence retention above baseline up to 2 years after the educational exposure. Skills include ability to generate a differential diagnosis for genetic conditions, share information with patients and families, and find accurate information on genetic conditions. The majority agreed that increased use of OMIM will better prepare students to achieve these skills. Integration of the OMIM database in first-year education is an effective instructional tool that may provide a lasting increase in confidence in clinical genetics skills.
The Elusive Extracellular AV Nodal Potential: Studies from the Canine Heart, Ex Vivo

Various forms of extracellular recordings from the AV node (AVN) have been reported. However, lack of consistent validation have precluded the use of such recordings in experimental and clinical studies. In 14 Langendorff perfused dog hearts, the triangle of Koch (TOK) was exposed and an octapolar electrode catheter (2 mm rings, 2 mm spacing) was inserted under the endocardium so that the bipolar pairs recorded electrograms from the apex to the base of the TOK. All recording were filtered between 0.05 and 250 Hz, except for a His bundle (Hb) recording (30-250 Hz) made from another bipolar electrode catheter placed in the aortic root. Transmembrane action potentials (AP) were recorded close to the sites of extracellular electrograms. Pin electrodes at the periphery of the bath were arranged to register two ECG leads from the volume conductor. During recovery of electrical activity 11 of 14 preparations developed a junctional rhythm that initially manifested only an AV nodal extracellular and corresponding intracellular AV nodal potentials followed gradually by conduction to the Hb and ventricles but no retrograde atrial activation; 3 preparations initially produced Hb rhythms based on extracellular and transmembrane AP recordings from the AVN and Hb. The amplitude and duration of the AVN extracellular potentials (average: 97 +/- 26 microV and 92 +/- 25 msec, respectively) during AVN rhythms, significantly differed from those during atrial pacing (262 +/- 185 microV and 78 +/- 26 msec, p < 0.05). Histologic sections of the sites underlying the electrodes recording AVN potentials showed AVN tissue throughout. We conclude that extracellular AV nodal potentials are independent waveforms with specific qualitative and quantitative characteristics that distinguish them from adjacent atrial, transitional, Hb or ventricular potentials.
Subcritical Crack Growth

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses subcritical crack growth, which is usually the result of a stress-enhanced reaction between the ceramic and ambient moisture. The effect of subcritical crack growth on the strength of ceramics can be understood by using the science of fracture mechanics, which provides methods for quantifying crack growth. Crack growth in ceramic materials is characterized using experimental techniques developed from fracture-mechanics considerations. Regardless of the technique used to characterize crack growth, the crack velocity can be expressed as a unique function of the stress intensity factor. Theories to explain subcritical crack growth in ceramic materials can be divided into three categories: diffusion theories, plastic-flow theories, and chemical-reaction theories. The development of a large body of crack growth data for ceramic materials permits detailed comparisons between the crack growth data and the data obtained by more conventional strength measurement techniques. Accepting the premise that subcritical crack growth is the main cause of strength loss in ceramic materials, the science of fracture mechanics can be used to develop practical methods for predicting failure.
The Impact of the Information Revolution on the Global Corporation

Much has been written about how the Internet removes time and locational constraints associated with global commerce (Wymbs, 1997).Traditional studies describing international activity focus on how firms and individuals from two or more cultures, countries or regions are broughttogether to accomplish a particular business purpose. The Internet, as an informational exchange medium, is beginning to be used in international business; however, the specific areas where it creates value are just being defined. The intent of this study is to identify those areas where the Internetvia electronic commerce will have the greatest effect in changing the relative components of the value chain and then explore areas of international business (International Trade, Foreign Direct Investment and Strategic Alliances) which likely would be early users of the Internet. Research questions that will be partially addressed in this analysis include: - Does the current information-intensive environment represent a fundamental change in the business paradigm of just five years ago? - If so, how will electronic commerce transform business and redefine the nature of products and the form of deliverables? - How will electronic commerce affect trade, foreign direct investment and strategic alliances of global firms?
Testimonials to Dialogue

Since dialogue is so deeply rooted in our own values and our perceptions of the worth of marginalized individuals, it is critical that we understand the total commitment that such genuine openness requires. Dialogue calls on us to recognize our own and the other person’s reality, to judge the way that we can open ourselves to him or her, and then enter into a process that leads to the establishment of feelings of companionship.
What's in a Preposition? Dimensions of Sense Disambiguation for an Interesting Word Class

Choosing the right parameters for a word sense disambiguation task is critical to the success of the experiments. We explore this idea for prepositions, an often overlooked word class. We examine the parameters that must be considered in preposition disambiguation, namely context, features, and granularity. Doing so delivers an increased performance that significantly improves over two state-of-the-art systems, and shows potential for improving other word sense disambiguation tasks. We report accuracies of 91.8% and 84.8% for coarse and fine-grained preposition sense disambiguation, respectively.
Modeling of Cr2O3-doped UO2 as a near-term accident tolerant fuel for LWRs using the BISON code

Abstract The near-term Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) concepts consist of minor modifications of the standard UO2-Zr fuel rod materials to provide enhanced accident tolerance. Uranium dioxide fuel with chromia dopant, developed by AREVA, is of interest in view of its enhanced fission gas retention. The predictive capability of the BISON fuel performance code for chromia-doped UO2 fuel is assessed through simulation of the Halden IFA-677.1 fuel rod experiment. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to interpret the deviation of code’s predictions from the experimental data. A power ramp test is also modeled with BISON and calculations are compared to the experimental database. Finally, a large-break LOCA (LBLOCA) case is simulated with BISON, leading to an initial assessment of the enhanced safety associated with chromia-doped fuel compared to the standard UO2 fuel in LWRs.
Biogenic Control of Manganese Doping in Zinc Sulfide Nanomaterial Using Shewanella oneidensis MR-1.

Bacteria naturally alter the redox state of many compounds and perform atom-by-atom nanomaterial synthesis to create many inorganic materials. Recent advancements in synthetic biology have spurred interest in using biological systems to manufacture nanomaterials, implementing biological strategies to specify the nanomaterial characteristics such as size, shape, and optical properties. Here we combine the natural synthetic capabilities of microbes with engineered genetic control circuits towards biogenically synthesized semiconductor nanomaterials. Using an engineered strain of Shewanella oneindensis with inducible expression of the cytochrome complex MtrCAB, we control the reduction of manganese (IV) oxide. Cytochrome expression levels were regulated using an inducer molecule, which enabled precise modulation of dopant incorporation into manganese doped zinc sulfide nanoparticles (Mn:ZnS). Thereby, a synthetic gene circuit controlled the optical properties of biogenic quantum dots. These biogenically assembled nanomaterials have similar physical and optoelectronic properties to chemically synthesized particles. Our results demonstrate the promise of implementing synthetic gene circuits for tunable control of nanomaterials made by biological systems.
Potential lower extremity amputation-induced mechanisms of chronic low back pain: role for focused resistance exercise.

Purpose: Approximately 185 000 individuals undergo limb amputations every year. Of this population, 40% experience lower extremity amputations. A common musculoskeletal condition that develops afte...
Reliability and stability of the metrical stress effect on segmental production accuracy in persons with apraxia of speech.

Background Acquired apraxia of speech (AOS) involves speech-production deficits on both the segmental and suprasegmental levels. Recent research has identified a non-linear interaction between the metrical structure of bisyllabic words and word-production accuracy in German speakers with AOS, with trochaic words (strong-weak stress) being resistant to errors compared with iambic words (weak-strong). Aims To replicate previous findings in English speakers with AOS, to measure the test-retest reliability of the effect, and to examine the potential impact of different methods of word scoring. Methods & procedures Speech samples were collected from 27 speakers with AOS and aphasia. Participants were at least 12 months post-stroke or penetrating brain injury, and represented a large range of AOS and aphasia severities. Productions were elicited via verbal model. Sampling was conducted on three separate occasions: the initial data-collection session and then repeated samplings at 1- and 4-week intervals. Bisyllabic words with a CVCVC segmental structure were selected. The list was divided into sublists representing differing lexical stress patterns: A list of 42 trochees, and one of 37 iambs. All speech samples were phonetically transcribed and then aligned with canonical transcriptions via an edit distance algorithm that followed transcription alignment principles. Phonetic-level errors (distortions) were penalized less severely than phonemic-level errors. Per cent consonants correct and whole-word accuracy were also examined. Trochee and iamb lists were analysed separately. Outcomes & results Paired samples t-tests indicated that the modified edit distance was significantly lower for the trochee lists than for the iamb lists. There was a lack of a significant effect of time on the absolute difference between modified edit distance for both lists. Intraclass coefficients suggested the list and procedures used are appropriate as an outcome measure for group research. Conclusions & implications The results suggest that in English, as in German, the trochaic structure is more resistant to segmental errors in persons with AOS and aphasia, providing replication of the findings of Aichert et al. in 2016. Further, this effect is stable over repeated sampling occasions. Implications for clinical management of AOS include possible ways to scaffold item difficulty and potentially improve stimulus generalization.
Global governance in forestry: a cross-national analysis

On the one hand, researchers argue that global governance in forestry is fragmented and ineffective. On the other hand, some argue that global forestry governance is key to reducing forest loss rel...
Towards Data Availability Solutions During Disaster

Data in business, education and research is important to both productivity and profits. Data loss occurs due to viruses, hackers, human error, or even natural disasters. Therefore developing an effective data backup and restore solution is modern business requirement. The purpose of any data archiving technique is to assure that the critical data is available and recoverable in case of any disaster. This work presents our experience in designing, implementing, and validating data availability solutions. In addition, it demonstrates number of drills with different scenarios to test the effectiveness of our solution. The result proves reliability, accuracy, and robustness of the implemented solution.
The Effect of Incidental Reinsurance Assumption on Insurer Performance

This article empirically examines the profitability and risk implications of the supply of reinsurance by incidental reinsurers to unaffiliated insurers. For a sample of U.S. property–liability ins...
Scales for Assessing News Literacy Education in the Digital Era

Concerns about “fake news,” misinformation, and disinformation have led to increasingly urgent calls for News Literacy (NL) education interventions and assessments of their effectiveness. New techn...
Uncoupling of Cell Division and Pigment Synthesis During Manipulations of a Natural Diatom Population

The relationship between population growth and pigment synthesis was examined in Rehoboth Bay, Delaware, in August 1990 during a bloom dominated by small diatoms (5 μm). Changes in cell number and the concentration of chlorophylls and carotenoids were examined in diluted samples (9:1 mixture of 211 μm organisms). This manipulation allowed estimation of the grazing impact of microzooplankton on the growth rate of phytoplankton. However, at most, microzooplankton grazing could account for a 12% reduction in phytoplankton growth rate, from 3.00 to ≈ 2.65 d−1. Rather, varying rates of cell division and pigment synthesis were observed, indicating that there was nutrient limitation in undiluted samples. Cell division rate was only slightly affected by dilution, but rates of net pigment synthesis differed widely from estimates of cell-specific growth and loss rate. Chlorophyll a degradation was apparent in the undiluted light treatment, while in diluted samples, chlorophyll a accumulated at a rate nearly equal to cell division rate. Nutrient limitation affected the rates of chlorophyll a and c synthesis but not the synthesis rates of diatom carotenoids, fucoxanthin, and diadinoxanthin. Thus, a de-coupling in time of chlorophyll a synthesis from carotenoid synthesis and cell division complicated the use of taxon-specific pigments in assessing the effect of dilution on algal population dynamics, but provided insight into the nutrient status of the phytoplankton assemblage.
Preclinical Development of Near-Infrared-Labeled CD38-Targeted Daratumumab for Optical Imaging of CD38 in Multiple Myeloma.

Cluster of differentiation 38 (CD38) is a promising therapeutic target in multiple myeloma (MM) patients and has resulted in the development of several CD38 immunotherapies. Current methods to evaluate CD38 expression in the preclinical setting include ex vivo flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, which can be cumbersome and do not give whole-body information. In vivo imaging technologies such as positron emission tomography rely on decay of radioisotopes, limiting the number of molecular interactions observed at any given time point. Here, we demonstrate the use of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging for spatiotemporal monitoring of CD38 expression in preclinical MM using the anti-CD38 daratumumab (DARA) conjugated to the NIR fluorophore IRDye800CW (DARA-IRDye800). Stability studies with human serum and binding assays with human myeloma cells were performed with DARA-IRDye800. Immunocompromised mice with intra- and extramedullary tumors (n = 5/group) were administered with DARA-IRDye800 for in vivo imaging up to 7 days after injection. Ex vivo biodistribution and flow cytometry studies were performed to validate in vivo imaging results. A separate therapy study was performed in mice with intramedullary tumors that were treated and not treated with DARA at a therapeutic dose (n = 7/group). DARA-IRDye800 was administered for subsequent in vivo and ex vivo imaging in both cohorts of mice. DARA-IRDye800 maintained stability and had high affinity for CD38 (KD = 3.5 ± 0.05 nM). DARA-IRDye800 demonstrated a 5- and 18-fold increase in contrast in tumor-bearing regions of mice with extra- and intramedullary MM. Finally, mice treated with therapeutic doses of DARA and imaged with DARA-IRDye800 showed an 11-fold decrease in fluorescence intensities in vivo compared with untreated controls. Our studies establish DARA-IRDye800 as a promising contrast agent for preclinical evaluation of CD38 expression and for further investigating myeloma engraftment and kinetics in relation to anti-CD38 therapies.