cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Professionalism: Ethically Based Reflective Practice

Acting as a professional means responsibly addressing patients’ needs and expectations. This requires first that genetic counselors understand themselves and the personal characteristics (e.g., motivations, values, cultural influences) they bring with them into their genetic counseling sessions. This chapter begins with a discussion of motivations for choosing a career in genetic counseling and how those motivations affect practice. Next, principles that guide students and health-care professionals’ ethical behavior are described; ethical challenges that arise when patients have genetic concerns are delineated; and strategies are presented for managing ethical challenges. The importance of professional growth and development and reflective practice are discussed next, including an empirically derived model of genetic counselor professional development. The chapter concludes with activities and written assignment that allow students to reflect upon and identify their motivations, values, and cultural and personal characteristics and to work through examples of ethical dilemmas.
The Effect of Lowering Public Insurance Income Limits on Hospitalizations for Low-Income Children

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thirty million children are currently covered by public insurance; however, the future funding and structure of public insurance are uncertain. Our objective was to determine the number, estimated costs, and demographic characteristics of hospitalizations that would become ineligible for public insurance reimbursement under 3 federal poverty level (FPL) eligibility scenarios. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study using the 2014 State Inpatient Databases, we included all pediatric (age RESULTS: In 775 460 publicly reimbursed hospitalizations in 14 states, reductions in eligibility limits to 300%, 200%, or 100% of the FPL would have resulted in large numbers of newly ineligible hospitalizations (∼155 000 [20% of hospitalizations] for 300%, 440 000 [57%] for 200%, and 650 000 [84%] for 100% of the FPL), equaling $1.2, $3.1, and $4.4 billion of estimated child hospitalization costs, respectively. Patient demographics differed only slightly under each eligibility threshold. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing public insurance eligibility limits would have resulted in numerous pediatric hospitalizations not covered by public insurance, shifting costs to families, other insurers, or hospitals. Without adequately subsidized commercial insurance, this reflects a potentially substantial economic hardship for families and hospitals serving them.
Reliability and validity of various laboratory methods of body composition assessment in young adults.

Accurate measures of body composition (BC) are essential for performance and health. In addition to accuracy, BC measures should be practical and be minimally invasive to maximize their utility. The purpose of the present study was to compare the day-to-day variability and validity of four common laboratory-based body composition assessments to a criterion four-compartment model. Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), air displacement plethysmography (BP), multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance (MF-BIA) and underwater weighing (UWW) were performed twice in a sample of 32 young men and women. Participants were assessed in a fasted, euhydrated state 2-7 days apart. All methods were compared to a criterion four-compartment model using BP-derived body volume, DXA-derived bone mineral content and MF-BIA-derived total body water (4CBP ). Additional four-compartment models using UWW- and DXA-derived body volume were also examined (4CUWW ) and (4CDXA ). Validity results were conducted with paired t-tests and Bland-Altman analysis. Reliability was determined using intraclass correlations (ICC), coefficients of variation (CV) and standard error of the measurement (SEM). Validity analysis revealed that all methods overestimated per cent body fat and fat mass, and underestimated fat-free mass when compared with 4CBP , but only DXA and BP were significantly different (P 0·9, CVs < 12%). Results of the present study indicate that typical laboratory-based methods of body composition are valid and reliable. However, we caution that results should not be translated between methods and assessments should be performed with the same instrument when the goal is to monitor changes in body composition over time.
The virtual reality hardware acceptance model (VR-HAM): Extending and individuating the technology acceptance model (TAM) for virtual reality hardware

Abstract With the emergence of virtual reality, several challenges are posed to marketers, developers, and firms alike. These challenges concern futurity in the context of content creation, consumer acceptance, and return on investment (ROI). This manuscript focuses on these challenges by extending the technology acceptance model (TAM) by incorporating perceived enjoyment as a key belief variable and including four fundamental antecedents to the acceptance of virtual reality hardware. These variables are incorporated into a structural equation model to predict the outcomes of future use and purchase intention. These findings provide support for the continuity of VR hardware into the foreseeable future and initial support for the integration of inherent curiosity literature within the TAM literature framework.
Cytochrome b561 and the Maintenance of Redox Poise in Secretory Vesicles

The membranes of a variety of secretory vesicles contain an electron transfer system which supports redox reactions catalyzed by enzymes contained within the vesicles. These enzymes include two important monooxygenases, dopamine s-hydroxylase and peptide amidating monooxygenase. Dopamine shydroxylase, responsible for the biosynthesis of norepinephrine and epinephrine, is found in catecholamine-storing vesicles such as the chromaffin vesicles of the adrenal medulla. Peptide amidating monooxygenase, responsible for the α-amidation of peptide hormones, is found in peptide-storing vesicles such as those in the pituitary and gut. Both monooxygenases use ascorbic acid to reduce the second atom of molecular oxygen to water. While oxygen will diffuse across the secretory vesicle membrane, ascorbate will not. It is to maintain intravesicular ascorbate that the secretory-vesicle membrane has an electron transfer system.
MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound Versus Radiofrequency Capsulotomy for Treatment-Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Cost-Effectiveness Threshold Analysis

Meta-analytic techniques support neuroablation as a promising therapy for treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This technique appears to offer a more favorable complication rate and higher utility than deep brain stimulation. Moreover, these pooled findings suggest that bilateral radiofrequency (RF) capsulotomy has marginally greater efficacy than stereotactic radiosurgery or cingulotomy. MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) capsulotomy is an emerging approach with a potentially more favorable profile than RF ablation and radiosurgery, with preliminary data suggesting safety and efficacy. As a clinical trial is being developed, our study examined the cost and clinical parameters necessary for MRgFUS capsulotomy to be a more cost-effective alternative to RF capsulotomy. A decision analytical model of MRgFUS with RF capsulotomy for OCD was performed using outcome parameters of percent surgical improvement in Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score, complications, and side effects. The analysis compared measured societal costs, derived from Medicare reimbursement rates, and effectiveness, based on published RF data. Effectiveness was defined as the degree to which MRgFUS lowered Y-BOCS score. Given that MRgFUS is a new therapy for OCD with scant published data, theoretical risks of MRgFUS capsulotomy were derived from published essential tremor outcomes. Sensitivity analysis yielded cost, effectiveness, and complication rates as critical MRgFUS parameters defining the cost-effectiveness threshold. Literature search identified eight publications (162 subjects). The average reduction of preoperative Y-BOCS score was 56.6% after RF capsulotomy with a 22.6% improvement in utility, a measure of quality of life. Complications occurred in 16.2% of RF cases. In 1.42% of cases, complications were considered acute-perioperative and incurred additional hospitalization cost. The adverse events, including neurological and neurobehavioral changes, in the other 14.8% of cases did not incur further costs, although they impacted utility. Rollback analysis of RF capsulotomy yielded an expected effectiveness of 0.212 quality-adjusted life years/year at an average cost of $24,099. Compared to RF capsulotomy, MRgFUS was more cost-effective under a range of possible cost and complication rates. While further study will be required, MRgFUS lacks many of the inherent risks associated with more invasive modalities and has potential as a safe and cost-effective treatment for OCD.
Iron-deficiency Anemia Causes an Ischemic Stroke in a Young Man

Iron deficiency anemia is an unusual etiology of ischemic stroke in the adult population. Only a few case reports exist describing this rare cause of cerebrovascular accident due to low circulating levels of oxygen. To the best of our knowledge, we believe we have described here the first patient presenting with an ischemic stroke secondary to severe anemia without an obvious source of blood loss, evidence of thrombus formation, or associated thrombocytosis. A 28-year-old man presented to our institution, complaining of severe fatigue and was admitted under the pretext of dizziness, blurred vision, esotropia, diffuse retinal hemorrhage, and Roth spots found in the left eye. Laboratory investigations reported a hemoglobin level of 1.12 g/dL (13.5-17.5 g/dl) and thrombocytopenia with a platelet count of 16,000/ µL (150,000-450,000). Concomitant magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed a right 4 mm periaqueductal lesion. After several red blood cell transfusions, the patient hereafter underwent an improvement in his clinical symptoms. Given no past medical history of anemia or thrombocytopenia, an extensive workup was prompted, but only microcytic anemia likely due to iron deficiency was found. Regarding a stroke in the young adult population, a differential beyond atherosclerosis and hypertension must be considered. Coagulopathies, vasculitis, sickle cell anemia, cerebral venous thrombosis, cocaine abuse, and systemic hypoperfusion are less common, but well-documented, causes of ischemia. Although infrequently mentioned, we demonstrate here a real possibility of severe iron deficiency anemia causing ischemic stroke in the brainstem of a young man. While a thorough neurologic evaluation is not often considered in patients presenting with signs and symptoms of severe anemia, vigilance regarding focal neurologic deficits should prompt suspicion for ischemic stroke in patients with significantly low hemoglobin levels.
Do children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have set shifting deficits?

OBJECTIVE Set shifting, or cognitive flexibility, is a core executive function involving the ability to quickly and efficiently shift back and forth between mental sets. Meta-analysis suggests medium-magnitude shifting impairments in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, this conclusion may be premature because the evidence-base relies exclusively on tasks that have been criticized for poor construct validity and may better reflect general neuropsychological functioning rather than shifting specifically. METHOD A well-characterized sample of 77 children ages 8-13 (M = 10.46, SD = 1.54; 32 girls; 66% Caucasian/non-Hispanic) with ADHD (n = 43) and without ADHD (n = 34) completed the criterion global-local set shifting task and 2 counterbalanced control tasks that were identical in all aspects except the key processes. RESULTS The experimental manipulation was successful at evoking set shifting demands during the global-local versus both nonshift control tasks (p < .001; ω2 = .12-.14). Mixed-model analyses of variance (ANOVAs) revealed that the ADHD group did not demonstrate disproportional decrements in speed shift costs on the shifting versus nonshift control tasks (p = .30; ω2 = .002), suggesting no evidence of impaired set shifting abilities in ADHD. In contrast, the ADHD group made disproportionately more shifting errors than the non-ADHD group (p = .03; ω2 = 0.03) that were more parsimoniously attributable to prerequisite (nonshifting) processes necessary for successful performance on the global-local task. CONCLUSIONS Children with ADHD's impaired performance on shifting tasks may be attributable to difficulties maintaining competing rule sets and/or inhibiting currently active rule sets prior to shifting. However, when these higher-order processes are executed successfully, there is no significant evidence to suggest a unique set shifting deficit in ADHD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Effects of an Intensive Exercise-Based Swallowing Program for Persons With Parkinson's Disease and Complex Medical History: A Single-Case Experiment

Purpose Dysphagia treatments to address the deterioration of oropharyngeal and respiratory functions in Parkinson's disease (PD) are few and rarely researched in persons with complex medical histor...
Stability and Release Requirements of the Complexes of GroEL with Two Homologous Mammalian Aminotransferases

The mitochondrial (mAAT) and cytosolic (cAAT) homologous isozymes of aspartate aminotransferase are two relatively large proteins that in their nonnative states interact very differently with GroEL. MgATP alone can increase the rate of GroEL-assisted reactivation of cAAT, yet the presence of GroES is mandatory for mAAT. Addition of an excess of a denatured substrate accelerates reactivation of cAAT in the presence of GroEL, but has no effect on mAAT. These competition studies suggest that the more stringent substrate mAAT forms a thermodynamically stable complex with GroEL, while rebinding affects the slow reactivation kinetics of cAAT with GroEL alone. However, the competitor appears to accelerate the release of cAAT from GroEL, most likely by displacing bound cAAT from the GroEL cavity. Moreover, cAAT, but not mAAT, shows a time-dependent increase in protease resistance while bound to GroEL at low temperature. These results suggest that folding and release of cAAT from GroEL in the absence of cofactors may occur stepwise with certain interactions being broken and reformed until the protein escapes binding. The distinct behavior of these two isozymes most likely results from differences in the structure of the nonnative states that bind to GroEL.
Regulatory Exclusivity Revision: Working to Achieve Greater Innovation in Approved New Molecular Entities

Abstract Rewarding innovation is a part of the regulatory system for drugs, both in terms of patent protection and the granting of regulatory exclusivity. One particular area where there has been a significant amount of innovation is in the development of orphan drugs. However, there has been a persistent issue regarding the significant percentage of approved new drugs that are less innovative than their counterparts. Further, it appears that the level of innovation in approved drugs containing a new molecular entity (NME) has been on the decline. This issue is highlighted by the proliferation of "me-too" or "addition-to-class" drugs. Me-too or addition-to-class drugs include drugs such as Lipitor and Nexium. These are considered less ground-breaking than other NMEs, as they generally function similarly to products that are already on the market. To combat the proliferation of me-too drugs, this Note proposes increasing regulatory exclusivity as a way to incentivize drug companies to create more innovative NMEs. This Note suggests that increasing exclusivity periods for more innovative NMEs, in that they are a drug with an NME that either demonstrates a new way to treat a disease or is designated for priority review by the FDA, will result in a greater number of these drugs being produced.
H 2 O Masers in W49 North and Sagittarius B2

Using the Very Large Array (VLA) of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in the A and B configurations, we have obtained simultaneous high-resolution observations of both the 22 GHz H2O maser lines as well as the 22 GHz continuum for the H II regions W49N and Sagittarius B2. The angular resolution of both observations is ~ 01, which at the distance of W49N (11.4 kpc) and Sgr B2 (8.5 kpc) corresponds to a physical size of less than 1000 AU in both sources. The velocity coverage for W49N is ±435 km s-1; positions for 316 H2O maser components were obtained. The velocity coverage for Sgr B2 is -40 to +120 km s-1; positions for 68 maser components were determined in Sgr B2 Main, 79 in Sgr B2 North, 14 in Sgr B2 Mid-North, and 17 in Sgr B2 South, for a total of 178 H2O maser positions in Sgr B2. The cross calibration scheme of Reid & Menten was used. Using this procedure, high dynamic range continuum images were obtained with accurate registration (σ ~ 001) of the continuum and maser positions. A detailed comparison between H II components and maser positions for both Sgr B2 and W49N is presented. In Sgr B2 Main, the H2O masers are predominantly located at the outside edge of the high-frequency continuum, lending support to the proposal that entrainment by stellar winds may play an important role in H2O maser emission.
Getting ahead of the storm: a look at severe weather and its impacts on our community

Although severe weather has the potential to significantly impact people and the environment, it also presents unique opportunities to teach students about different weather phenomena and how to pr...
THE KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION FUNCTION FOR UNIVERSITY PATENTING

We estimate a knowledge production function for university patenting using an individual effects negative binomial model. We control for Research and Development expenditures, research field, and the presence of a Technology Transfer Office. We distinguish between three kinds of researchers: faculty, postdoctoral scholars (postdocs), and PhD students. For the latter two, we also distinguish by visa status. We find patent counts to relate positively and significantly to the number of PhD students and number of postdocs. Our results also suggest that not all graduate students and postdocs contribute equally to patenting but that contribution is mediated by citizenship and visa status. (JEL C25, O31, O32, O34, O38)
Robust to Overwhelming: A Case Study on Planned Abandonment for GIS Services

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services are a popular offering for some academic libraries and the growth of these services illustrates their value to diverse disciplines and scholars. Howeve...
Connectivity-based deep learning approach for segmentation of the epithelium in in vivo human esophageal OCT images

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is used for diagnosis of esophageal diseases such as Barrett’s esophagus. Given the large volume of OCT data acquired, automated analysis is needed. Here we propose a bilateral connectivity-based neural network for in vivo human esophageal OCT layer segmentation. Our method, connectivity-based CE-Net (Bicon-CE), defines layer segmentation as a combination of pixel connectivity modeling and pixel-wise tissue classification. Bicon-CE outperformed other widely used neural networks and reduced common topological prediction issues in tissues from healthy patients and from patients with Barrett’s esophagus. This is the first end-to-end learning method developed for automatic segmentation of the epithelium in in vivo human esophageal OCT images.
Reaction rate differences between organotrifluoroborates and boronic acids in BINOL-catalyzed conjugate addition to enones

Abstract Enantioselective organocatalysis has been successfully employed in combination with trifluoroborate reagents for novel organic transformations over the last decade. However, no experimental rate studies of these reactions have been reported. Herein we report Hammett plot analysis of the organocatalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of alkenyl, aryl, and heteroaryl trifluoroborate salts to chalcone derivatives with substitution at both the β-aryl and keto-aryl positions. The rate trend for keto-aryl substitution diverges from that of boronic acid nucleophiles in that the keto-aryl substituent for trifluoroborate salts does not measurably impact reaction rate in a manner consistent with charge stabilization. In addition, variable temperature NMR in combination with quantitative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis suggests that the reaction is impacted by the low solubility of the trifluoroborate salts, so particle size and stirring speed affect reaction rates.
3D interaction homology: Hydropathic interaction environments of serine and cysteine are strikingly different and their roles adapt in membrane proteins.

Abstract Atomic-resolution protein structural models are prerequisites for many downstream activities like structure-function studies or structure-based drug discovery. Unfortunately, this data is often unavailable for some of the most interesting and therapeutically important proteins. Thus, computational tools for building native-like structural models from less-than-ideal experimental data are needed. To this end, interaction homology exploits the character, strength and loci of the sets of interactions that define a structure. Each residue type has its own limited set of backbone angle-dependent interaction motifs, as defined by their environments. In this work, we characterize the interactions of serine, cysteine and S-bridged cysteine in terms of 3D hydropathic environment maps. As a result, we explore several intriguing questions. Are the environments different between the isosteric serine and cysteine residues? Do some environments promote the formation of cystine S–S bonds? With the increasing availability of structural data for water-insoluble membrane proteins, are there environmental differences for these residues between soluble and membrane proteins? The environments surrounding serine and cysteine residues are dramatically different: serine residues are about 50% solvent exposed, while cysteines are only 10% exposed; the latter are more involved in hydrophobic interactions although there are backbone angle-dependent differences. Our analysis suggests that one driving force for –S–S– bond formation is a rather substantial increase in burial and hydrophobic interactions in cystines. Serine and cysteine become less and more, respectively, solvent-exposed in membrane proteins. 3D hydropathic environment maps are an evolving structure analysis tool showing promise as elements in a new protein structure prediction paradigm.
Framework for Collecting Data from specialized IoT devices - An application to enhance Healthcare Systems

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the most significant and blooming technology in the 21st century while rapidly developed by covering hundreds of applications in the civil, health, military, and agriculture areas. IoT is based on the collection of sensor data through an embedded system, and this embedded system uploads the data on the internet. Devices and sensor technologies connected over a network can monitor and measure data in real-time. The main challenge is to collect data from IoT devices, transmit them to store in the Cloud, and later retrieve them at any time for visualization and data analysis. All these phases need to be secure by following security protocol to ensure data integrity. In this paper, we present the design of a lightweight and easy-to-use data collection framework for IoT devices, that can potentially be applied to sensors that monitor healthcare. This framework consists of collecting data from sensors and sending them to Cloud storage securely and in realtime for further processing and visualization. Our main objective is to make a data-collecting platform that will be plug-and-play and secure so that any healthcare organization or research team can use it to collect data from any IoT device for further data analysis.
Planar propulsion through the manipulation of circulatory flows

The development of thrust forces on the control surfaces of a variety of biomorphic underwater vehicles corresponds to the manipulation of circulatory flows about these surfaces. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalism exposes models for underwater vehicle dynamics to analytical tools from geometric mechanics and nonlinear control theory, but the naive introduction of circulation to conservative models for coupled vehicle-fluid systems generically introduces divergent terms to the fluid kinetic energy. We present models for circulation-based propulsion as it pertains to two archetypical underwater vehicle systems. We first present an externally-forced Lagrangian model for a submerged Flettner rotor, comparing gaits predicted by our model to those achieved with a robotic laboratory rotor. We then present and partially analyze a Hamiltonian model for planar carangiform locomotion in which the strength and relative position of a trailing point vortex are controlled to propel a rigid body. The flow around the vortex in this case approximates the flow around an oscillating hydrofoil; we derive a Poisson bracket for this system from the bracket governing the unconstrained interaction of a system of planar vortices using Dirac's bracket formula.
Failed States: Internal and External Sources of Failure

In this article I make three main arguments. First, failing and failed states must be understood from a two-level game perspective. Their domestic conditions shape their international behavior, and their international circumstances exacerbate their internal failings. Second, established states and failing/failed states engage in different functions. Established states are focused on state expansion activities, while failing and failed states are attempting to undergo the process of state-building. Finally, I argue that this problem of failing states is not going away; more to the point, a collision course between these two types of states is inevitable.
Algorithmic Issues in Coding Theory

The goal of this article is to provide a gentle introduction to the basic definitions, goals and constructions in coding theory. In particular we focus on the algorithmic tasks tackled by the theory. We describe some of the classical algebraic constructions of error-correcting codes including the Hamming code, the Hadamard code and the Reed Solomon code. We describe simple proofs of their error-correction properties. We also describe simple and efficient algorithms for decoding these codes. It is our aim that a computer scientist with just a basic knowledge of linear algebra and modern algebra should be able to understand every proof given here. We also describe some recent developments and some salient open problems.
Diabetes mellitus among Navajo Indians: findings from the Navajo Health and Nutrition Survey.

Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is a major health problem among most American Indian tribes. This is the first population-based reservation-wide study of the Navajo that has used oral glucose tolerance testing to determine diabetes status. Employing WHO criteria, we found an age-standardized prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) of 22.9% among persons aged 20 y and older. This prevalence is 40% higher than any previous age-standardized estimate for the Navajo and four times higher than the age-standardized U.S. estimate. More than 40% of Navajo aged 45 y and older had DM. About one third of those with DM were unaware of it, with men more likely to be unaware than women. Among persons with a medical history of DM, almost 40% had fasting plasma glucose values > or = 200 mg/dL. Persons with DM were heavier, more sedentary and more likely to have a family history of DM than were persons without DM. Persons with DM had more hypertension, lower HDL levels and higher triglyceride levels than their counterparts without DM. Insulin usage was infrequent among persons with a history of DM, and about one third of women with such a history used no medical therapy to control their diabetes. Although important measures to combat diabetes have already been undertaken by the Navajo, additional efforts are required to slow the progression of this disease and prevent its sequelae.
EVOLUTION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS CODE OF ETHICS

One means of defining the responsibilities professions such as engineering have toward the public is by incorporating a code of ethics. The objective of this paper is first to review the history of the code of ethics as adopted by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the oldest engineering society in the United States, and one of the largest. The evolution of ASCE’s Code of Ethics is instructive in an analysis of the development and maturation of the civil engineering profession. It is suggested that the three basic reasons for having a professional code are: (1) To enhance the image of the profession; (2) to clarify rules of conduct within the profession; and (3) to promote the public good. This discussion of the evolution of the ASCE Code of Ethics demonstrates how each of these three objectives has been satisfied in the modern code. The final objective of the paper is to analyze ASCE’s record in the establishment of an environmental component to the Code of Ethics, the so-called Eighth Canon, which sets out the requirements and responsibilities of engineers with respect to environmental quality, pollution mitigation and the conservation of resources for the benefit of future generations.
Using piezoelectric sensors for ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements in concrete

The ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test has been a widely used non-destructive testing method for concrete structures. However, the conventional UPV test has limitations in consistency of results and applicability in hard-to-access regions of structures. The authors explore the feasibility of embedded piezoelectric (PZT) sensors for ultrasonic measurements in concrete structures. Two PZT sensors were embedded in a reinforced concrete specimen. One sensor worked as an actuator driven by an ultrasonic pulse-receiver, and another sensor worked as a receiver. A series of ultrasonic tests were conducted to investigate the performance of the embedded sensors in crack-free concrete and concrete specimens having a?surface-breaking crack under various external loadings. Signals measured by the embedded sensors show a broad bandwidth with a centre frequency around 80 kHz, and very good coherence in the frequency range from 30 to 180 kHz. Furthermore, experimental variability in ultrasonic pulse velocity and attenuation is substantially reduced compared to previously reported values from conventional UPV equipment. Findings from this study demonstrate that the embedded sensors have great potential as a low-cost solution for ultrasonic transducers for health monitoring of concrete in structures.
Structure-guided design of aminopyrimidine amides as potent, selective inhibitors of lymphocyte specific kinase: synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and inhibition of in vivo T cell activation.

The lymphocyte-specific kinase (Lck), a member of the Src family of cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases, is expressed in T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Genetic evidence, including knockout mice and human mutations, demonstrates that Lck kinase activity is critical for normal T cell development, activation, and signaling. Selective inhibition of Lck is expected to offer a new therapy for the treatment of T-cell-mediated autoimmune and inflammatory disease. With the aid of X-ray structure-based analysis, aminopyrimidine amides 2 and 3 were designed from aminoquinazolines 1, which had previously been demonstrated to exhibit potent inhibition of Lck and T cell proliferation. In this report, we describe the synthesis and structure–activity relationships of a series of novel aminopyrimidine amides 3 possessing improved cellular potency and selectivity profiles relative to their aminoquinazoline predecessors 1. Orally bioavailable compound 13b inhibited the anti-CD3-induced production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in...
A new method for rapid computation of transient fuel cycle material balances

Abstract This paper develops and demonstrates a fast, medium-fidelity coupled burnup, criticality and fuel cycle mass flow model. The burnup model requires pre-calculated parameters (neutron production and destruction rates, burnup, and isotopic transformation) that are functions of fluence and nuclide. These parameters are specific to a given reactor. It then uses mass-weighted superposition to recombine these parameters as needed and calculate criticality and maximum discharge burnup. This may then be folded in with a piecewise-linear reactivity model to simulate multi-batch cores. The resultant model is then applied to two fuel cycle scenarios: a recyclable uranium cycle and a fast burner reactor cycle. Various fuel cycle parameters are measured, such as isotopics at every stage of the respective fuel cycles. The dynamic and flexible nature of the model allows such fuel cycle data to be quickly recalculated for various initial conditions.
A theoretical study of gas-phase and solid-state Hg(CF3)2

Abstract Gas-phase and solid-state Hg(CF 3 ) 2 have been studied using a relativistic density-functional method. The crystalline environment was simulated by a cut-off-type Madelung potential. Bond lengths, dissociation energies, force constants, and enthalpy of sublimation are calculated. The influence of the crystal field (CF) on the molecular properties is well reproduced by the CF model. The intermolecular bonding in the crystal structure is examined and is revealed to be dominated by electrostatic effects. The relatively high enthalpy of sublimation evaluated for the crystal compound (Δ H sub =18.7 kcal) accounts for its relatively high melting points. A hypothetical crystal Hg(CH 3 ) 2 is shown to have a small Δ H sub (3 kcal mol −1 ), which explains why no solid-state Hg(CH 3 ) 2 exists. Ionization potentials for all the valence MOs of the gas-phase Hg(CF 3 ) 2 are predicted.
Path analysis of familial resemblance of pulmonary function and cigarette smoking

The techniques of path analysis were utilized to assess the relative importance of genetic factors, personal smoking behavior, and shared environment in the resemblance of pulmonary function among relatives using both cross-sectional and longitudinal data from nuclear families. Data on 1-s forced expiratory volume, FEV1 (adjusted for age, sex, race, height, and ascertainment group) and the number of cigarettes smoked per day were available on 978 individuals in 384 nuclear families residing in the Baltimore metropolitan area. All these individuals were seen twice between 1971 and 1981, with an average of 5 yr between visits. The direct effect of an individual's own smoking explained 10 and 3% of variation in adjusted FEV1 among parents and offspring, respectively. Shared environmental factors influencing personal smoking behavior accounted for 5% of the parent-offspring correlation in adjusted FEV1 and 3% of the sibling correlation in adjusted FEV1 in this sample. Undefined environmental factors that infl...
Meridional flow in the solar wind in the presence of latitudinally dependent boundary conditions

The influence of latitudinally dependent boundary conditions on the large radius values of meridional flow in the distant solar wind is examined through a double perturbation expansion of the magnetohydrodynamic equations. A general result is derived for the meridional velocity which allows arbitrary specification of radial velocity, radial magnetic field, and mass flux, as a function of colatitude at some coronal reference surface. Three specific examples are treated, including the model of Pneuman and Kopp (1971). The latter example indicates that there may be flow toward the equator at large radii, as opposed to the pure equatorial divergence of internally generated motion due to a flow which is latitudinally uniform at the reference radius.
Partitioning hydraulic resistance in Sorghum bicolor leaves reveals unique correlations with stomatal conductance during drought

The hydraulic architecture of leaves represents the final path along which liquid water travels through the plant and comprises a significant resistance for water movement, especially for grasses. We partitioned leaf hydraulic resistance of six genotypes of Sorghum bicolor L. (Moench) into leaf specific hydraulic resistance within the large longitudinal veins (r*LV) and outside the large veins (r*OLV), and correlated these resistances with the response of stomatal conductance (gs) and photosynthesis (A) to drought. Under well-watered conditions, gs was tightly correlated with r*OLV (r2 = 0.95), but as soil moisture decreased, gs was more closely correlated with r*LV (r2 = 0.97). These results suggest that r*OLV limits maximum rates of gas exchange, but the ability to efficiently move water long distances (low r*LV) becomes more important for the maintenance of cell turgor and gas exchange as soil moisture declines. Hydraulic resistance through the leaf was negatively correlated with evapotranspiration (P < 0.001) resulting in more conservative water use in genotypes with large leaf resistance. These results illustrate the functional significance of leaf resistance partitioning to declining soil moisture in a broadly-adapted cereal species.
A Scholarly Approach to a Peer Review of Teaching

Due to their noted shortcoming, educators have looked to supplement student evaluation of teaching with other methods, one of which is a peer review of teaching. When done in a scholarly manner, a peer review of teaching is an excellent method by which to do a thorough audit of the way in which colleagues develop courses, deliver the content, and assess the results. Done poorly, a peer review of teaching has been shown to be less reliable than traditional student evaluations of teaching. This article summarizes the literature on peer review of teaching to assist those interested in conducting one in a scholarly manner in their academic units or those interested in doing research on the topic.
Screening native botanicals for bioactivity: an interdisciplinary approach.

Abstract Objective Plant-based therapies have been used in medicine throughout recorded history. Information about the therapeutic properties of plants often can be found in local cultures as folk medicine is communicated from one generation to the next. The aim of this study was to identify native Louisiana plants from Creole folk medicine as a potential source of therapeutic compounds for the treatment of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and related disorders. Methods We used an interdisciplinary approach combining expertise in disciplines ranging from cultural anthropology and botany to biochemistry and endocrinology to screen native southwest Louisiana plants. Translation of accounts of Creole folk medicine yielded a list of plants with documented use in treating a variety of conditions, including inflammation. These plants were collected, vouchered, and catalogued before extraction of soluble components. Extracts were analyzed for bioactivity in regulating inflammatory responses in macrophages or fatty acid–induced insulin resistance in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. Results Several extracts altered gene expression of inflammatory markers in macrophages. Multiplex analysis of kinase activation in insulin-signaling pathways in skeletal muscle also identified a subset of extracts that alter insulin-stimulated protein kinase B phosphorylation in the presence of fatty-acid–induced insulin resistance. Conclusion An interdisciplinary approach to screening botanical sources of therapeutic agents can be successfully applied to identify native plants used in folk medicine as potential sources of therapeutic agents in treating insulin resistance in skeletal muscle or inflammatory processes associated with obesity-related insulin resistance.
Frequency of luteinizing hormone pulses and circulating 17β-oestradiol concentration in cows is related to concentration of progesterone in circulation when the progesterone comes from either an endogenous or exogenous source

Abstract The present study was designed to test whether progesterone from exogenous and endogenous sources modulates the frequency of luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses in a differential fashion. Our working hypotheses were: (1) the frequency of secretion of LH pulses and concentration of 17β-oestradiol in circulation would be directly related to circulating concentration of progesterone; (2) progesterone from an exogenous source would have a different effect on frequency of LH pulses and circulating concentration of 17β-oestradiol than progesterone from an endogenous source. Cows were treated with graded doses of PGF 2α or progesterone to result in varying concentrations of progesterone in circulation from endogenous and exogenous sources. Treatment with PGF 2α resulted in concentrations of circulating progesterone among animals in this group that ranged from 0.5 to 10.9 ng ml −1 of plasma. Treatment with progesterone resulted in circulating concentrations of progesterone among animals in this group that ranged from 0.8 to 11.8 ng ml −1 of plasma. Concentrations of progesterone in circulation and frequency of LH pulses were negatively correlated ( r = −0.59) in cows with functional corpora lutea and in cows treated with progesterone without corpora lutea ( r = −0.62). The frequency of LH pulses had the same relationship to the varying concentrations of progesterone in both treatment groups. Cows with higher progesterone levels had fewer LH pulses and cows with lower progesterone had a greater frequency of LH pulses. Mean circulating concentrations of 17β-oestradiol also had the same relationship with varying concentrations of progesterone in both treatment groups. Cows with higher progesterone levels had lower 17β-oestradiol and cows with lower progesterone had higher 17β-oestradiol levels. The results indicate that there is a direct relationship between circulating concentration of progesterone, frequency of LH pulses and circulating concentration of 17β-oestradiol. In addition, progesterone modulates the frequency of release of LH pulses from the pituitary and circulating concentration of 17β-oestradiol in a similar fashion when coming from either an endogenous or exogenous source.
Dance communication affects consistency, but not breadth, of resource use in pollen-foraging honey bees

In groups of cooperatively foraging individuals, communication may improve the group’s performance by directing foraging effort to where it is most useful. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) use a specialized dance to communicate the location of floral resources. Because honey bees dance longer for more rewarding resources, communication may shift the colony’s foraging effort towards higher quality resources, and thus narrow the spectrum of resource types used. To test the hypothesis that dance communication changes how much honey bee colonies specialize on particular resources, we manipulated their ability to communicate location, and assessed the relative abundance of different pollen taxa they collected. This was repeated across five natural habitats that differed in floral species richness and spatial distribution. Contrary to expectation, impairing communication did not change the number or diversity of pollen (resource) types used by individual colonies per day. However, colonies with intact dance communication were more consistent in their resource use, while those with impaired communication were more likely to collect rare, novel pollen types. This suggests that communication plays an important role in shaping how much colonies invest in exploring new resources versus exploiting known ones. Furthermore, colonies that did more exploration also tended to collect less pollen overall, but only in environments with greater floral abundance per patch. In such environments, the ability to effectively exploit highly rewarding resources may be especially important–and dance communication may help colonies do just that. This could help explain how communication benefits honey bee colonies, and also why it does so only under certain environmental conditions.
Physical continuum and the problem of a finitistic quantum field theory

To formulate a finitistic quantum field theory, the hypothesis is made that the continuum of space and time is countable possessing the cardinal number ℵ0. With the integers having the same cardinal number, it is therefore assumed that distances in space and time can be expressed only in integer multiples of a fundamental length and time. To preserve the condition of causality, a quantized field theory derived under this assumption must be expressed in absolute space and time, with the field equation invariant under Galilei transformations. It is shown that such a theory not only can be formulated in full agreement with all the postulates of quantum mechanics, but that it leads to Lorentz invariance as a dynamic symmetry in the limit of low energies. If the smallest length and time are chosen to be equal to the Planck length and time, respectively, observable departures from the predictions of special relativity would become effective only in approaching the Planck energy of ∼1019 GeV.
Solid waste sustainability related to building deconstruction

This paper discusses various issues of sustainability in relation to solid waste and building deconstruction. Four major themes are researched: (1) the major challenges in the deconstruction and demolition processes, (2) the monetary and social impacts of deconstruction, (3) the decision criteria for deconstruction vs. demolition and (4) the strategic issues in deconstruction and lessons learned from past case studies. Data collected and presented provide detailed assessment of available deconstruction technologies and materials' recycling and reuse methods. The benefits of deconstruction lead to reduce the impacts on the nation's virgin materials, energy demand and landfill space. Tipping fees of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste represents a determining factor for the economic health of the deconstruction industry. The model presented shows a steady trend in devising innovative technologies that help in reusing and recycling C&D waste. Should this trend continue through the next decade, full diversion rates and recycling becomes a possibility.
Response of supraoptic magnocellular neurons to stimulation of forebrain α-adrenoceptors

Abstract Effects of α-adrenoceptor agentson electrophysiologically and immunohistochemically identified supraoptic nucleus (SON) vasopressin (VP) units were investigated by intracarotid infusion. Clonidine, an α2-adrenoceptor agonist always excited SON units and α2-adrenoceptor adrenoceptor agents produced inconsistent responses. The results implicated forebrain α2-adrenergic receptors in the excitation of SON VP neurons.