cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of pneumoconiosis and its relationship to dust exposure in a cohort of U.S. Bituminous coal miners and ex‐miners

Information on radiographic evidence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) is presented for a group of 3,194 underground bituminous coal miners and ex-miners examined between 1985 and 1988. Prevalence of CWP was related to estimated cumulative dust exposure, age, and rank of coal. On the basis of these data, miners of medium to low rank coal, who work for 40 years at the current federal dust limit of 2 mg/m3, are predicted to have a 1.4% risk of having progressive massive fibrosis on retirement. Higher prevalences are predicted for less severe categories of CWP. Miners in high rank coal areas appear to be at greater risk than those mining medium and low rank coals. Ex-miners who said that they left mining for health-related reasons had higher levels of abnormality compared to current miners.
Departures from Axisymmetric Balance Dynamics during Secondary Eyewall Formation

AbstractDepartures from axisymmetric balance dynamics are quantified during a case of secondary eyewall formation. The case occurred in a three-dimensional mesoscale convection-permitting numerical simulation of a tropical cyclone, integrated from an initial weak mesoscale vortex in an idealized quiescent environment. The simulation exhibits a canonical eyewall replacement cycle. Departures from balance dynamics are quantified by comparing the azimuthally averaged secondary circulation and corresponding tangential wind tendencies of the mesoscale integration with those diagnosed as the axisymmetric balanced response of a vortex subject to diabatic and tangential momentum forcing. Balance dynamics is defined here, following the tropical cyclone literature, as those processes that maintain a vortex in axisymmetric thermal wind balance.The dynamical and thermodynamical fields needed to characterize the background vortex for the Sawyer–Eliassen inversion are obtained by azimuthally averaging the relevant quan...
Temperature-programmed desorption of hydrogen from γ-Al2O3-supported platinum catalysts with and without tungsten

Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) spectroscopy was used to characterize the desorption of H2 from γ-Al2O3-supported samples prepared from {Pt[W(CO)3(C5H5)]2(PhCN)2} and {Pt2W2(CO)6(C5H5)2(PPh3)2} as well as those prepared from [PtCl2(PhCN)2] and from [PtCl2(PhCN)2] and [W(CO)6]. The latter two are characterized by broad and the former two by narrow distributions of desorption energies (Ed). The slope of the near-linear plot of the logarithm of the preexponential factor for desorption vs. Ed (indicating a compensation effect) is correlated with the strength of the interactions between platinum atoms and tungsten cations in the samples. These interactions are strong in the samples prepared from the bimetallic precursors but not in those prepared from the monometallic precursor(s). The narrow and nearly coverage-independent desorption energy distribution curves characterizing the former samples are consistent with the presence of highly dispersed, nearly uniform (4–6 atom) and energetically homogeneous platinum clusters in these samples (as indicated by extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy), in contrast to those prepared from the combination of monometallic precursors, which incorporated larger, nonuniform particles of platinum largely segregated from tungsten. The data indicate that desorption energy distribution functions and compensation effect plots determined from TPD profiles are helpful in characterizing the surface heterogeneity of highly dispersed supported metals.
Silicon-on-Sapphire Complementary MOS Memory Cells

Complementary MOS circuitry offers the advantages of high-speed, low-quiescent power dissipation, and loose device parameter tolerances. However, only with the recent development of clean technology has it been possible to fabricate stable devices. The advances in silicon-on-sapphire epitaxy have permitted the development of a high-speed low-power complementary MOS circuit module. This paper describes the circuit, its operation, the method used in fabricating it in silicon-on-sapphire, and the switching performance of the circuit. The basic memory cell is a NDRO flip-flop with feedback supplied through a transmission gate. The total circuit delay from write command to output sense signal is 5 to 7 ns at a standby power dissipation of 7 to 20 /spl mu/ W. To show the feasibility of adapting silicon-on-sapphire complementary MOS technology to LSI, a 9-bit word (1-byte) was constructed. The entire module containing 54 N-channel and 36 P-channel devices dissipated less than 100 /spl mu/ W in a standby condition.
Activation of H+-K+-ATPase by CO2 requires a basolateral Ba2+-sensitive pathway during K restriction

We studied the activation of H+-K+-ATPase by CO2 in the renal cortical collecting duct (CCD) of K-restricted animals. Exposure of microperfused CCD to 10% CO2 increased net total CO2 flux (J t CO2 ...
A Risk-Based, Practice-Centered Approach to Project Management for HPCMP CREATE

The Department of Defense's High Performance Computing Modernization Program Computational Research and Engineering Acquisition Tools and Environments Computational Research and Engineering Acquisition Tools and Environments (CREATE) program is developing and deploying multiphysics high-performance computing software applications for engineers to design and make accurate performance predictions for military aircraft, ships, ground vehicles, and radio frequency antennas. When CREATE started (2007), no commonly recognized set of successful software project management practices existed for developing multiphysics, HPC engineering software. Based on lessons learned from the HPC and computational engineering communities, CREATE leadership developed and implemented a risk-based, practice-centered strategy to organize and manage the highly distributed program. This approach led to a good balance between ensuring a sufficiently structured workflow and accountability and providing the flexibility and agility necessary to create new sets of engineering tools with the capabilities needed to design next-generation weapon systems.
Mouse Models of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a disease characterized by aggressive tumor biology, desmoplasia and chemoresistance. Given the insidious nature of its onset, multiple models have been developed to study progression from in situ lesions (PanIN) to PDAC in transgenic mouse models. These have been developed using known mutations that are present in human tumors including K-ras, p53, DPC4, CDNK2a, p16 and Brca2. The metastatic character of each of these models is variable and described here. Metastasis to the lymph nodes, liver and peritoneum are also prominent features of PDAC. Syngeneic models and xenograft models (i.e. orthotopic, direct xenograft and metastatic models) are also used to study primary tumor development and metastatic disease and are described.This chapter seeks to describe murine models of experimental PDAC that are currently used to investigate mechanisms of carcinogenesis and metastatic progression, individual risk factors, tumor biology aspects, mechanisms of in vivo chemoresistance, analysis of therapeutic targets and experimental therapies.
Incorporating Risk into Financial Analysis of Forest Management Investments

In calculating net present values of assets or enterprises with risky cash flows, the most common approach is to discount future cash flows with a risk-adjusted discount rate exceeding the risk free rate. Because decision makers usually do not have the necessary data or expertise to apply more sophisticated approaches to risk analysis, the approach here is to examine refinements to applying risk-adjusted discount rates. With certainty-equivalent analysis, it is shown that, for any given revenue risk, the required addition to the risk free discount rate becomes less as payoff periods lengthen. Thus it is likely that discount rates commonly applied to long-term forestry investments are too high. Other discussions include present value probability histograms, simulation, problems with the weighted average cost of capital and the capital asset pricing model, and special considerations in discounting risky costs.
Protein intake and obesity in young adolescents

The abundance of protein and its functional diversity in living systems makes it essential for virtually all life processes. Dietary protein and amino acid requirements are affected by age, body size, body composition, physiological state, and the level of energy output. The requirement for dietary protein is based on the indispensable amino acids under all conditions and under specific physiological and pathological conditions as well as the synthesis of dispensable amino acids and other nitrogen-containing compounds. Previous findings have shown the influence of early intake of proteins on the development of overweight in healthy children. The present review focused on the possible association (if any) between protein intake and later development of obesity. The aim is to benefit physicians, dieticians as well as parents to understand future consequences of incorrect dietary habits in young adolescents and encourage healthy dietary habits to avoid obesity.
Zeolite Membrane Reactor for High-Temperature Water-Gas Shift Reaction: Effects of Membrane Properties and Operating Conditions

Modified MFI-type zeolite membranes were investigated as high-temperature water-gas shift (WGS) membrane reactors (MRs) in combination with a nanocrystalline Fe/Ce WGS catalyst. The effects of the MR operating conditions and the membrane separation performance on the CO conversion (χCO) were studied experimentally and by calculations using a simple one-dimensional plug-flow reactor (PFR) model. The experimental results showed that, at high temperatures (e.g., >500 °C), the zeolite MR with moderate H2 selectivity (e.g., αH2/CO2 ∼ 31, and αH2/CO ∼ 25) and permeance (Pm,H2 ∼ 0.9 × 10–7 mol s–1 m–2 Pa–1) was capable of overcoming the limit of equilibrium CO conversion and χCO of the MR could be further enhanced by increasing the reaction pressure while keeping the permeate pressure unchanged. At high temperatures and high reaction pressures, CO is rapidly consumed by a fast reaction that minimizes the membrane permeation of unreacted CO; meanwhile, the efficiency of H2 removal is improved as a result of the i...
Actuator and Sensor Design for Controlled Structures

A procedure for the design and placement of actuator and sensors for the control of high precision structures is presented. Critical design parameters such as type, location, impedance, authority, noise, and bandwidth, are introduced and detailed for simple models. With these parameters, and tests for effectiveness such as controllability/observability, closed loop stability and performance, a systematic procedure for the design and selection of actuators and sensors is presented.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF RACE

Is there such a thing called ‘race’? What might an account of race from a philosophical perspective, add to the scholarly discussion about the concept? Why should philosophy engage with race? What ...
Therapeutic Effect of Astragaloside on Chronic Coxsackievirus B_3 Myocarditis in Balb/c Mice

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of astragaloside on chronic coxsackievirus B3(CVB3)myocarditis in Balb/c mice.Methods Eighty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:astragaloside treatment group(n=30),model of viral myocarditis group(model group)(n=30),and control group(n=20).Mice in the model group and the astragaloside treatment group were monthly intraperitoneally inoculated with CVB3,but equal amount of culture fluid was given instead in control group.The model group and control group were fed with drinking water,astragaloside treatment group were fed with drinking water containing astragaloside at concentration of 300 mg/L for 3 months.Survival rates were determined,myocardial histopathology,collagen volume fraction(CVF) and apoptosis of heart tissue,and CVB3 RNA levels were detected on 3 months later respectively by semiquantitative RT-PCR.Results Compared with model group,in astragaloside treated group,the survival rate on 3 months was significantly improved(59.7% vs 76.7%,χ2=4.26 P0.05).The histological myocardial lesion,also significantly attenuated reduced [(3.86±0.47) vs(1.72±0.56),t= 4.21 P0.01],As compared with control group,the myocardial CVF and apoptosis index were significantly lower[(17.4±1.2)% vs(8.6±0.9)%,χ2=5.38 P0.05;(19.6±5.2)% vs(4.3±2.5)%,χ2=35.16 P0.01],respectively,the myocardial CVB3 RNA levels was decreased [(0.69±0.38) vs(1.24±0.57),t=4.26 P0.01] in the astragaloside treatment group.Conclusions Astragaloside is a potent agent with a highly significant effect on chronic viral myocarditis in the Balb/c murine with CVB3.
Abstract 19717: Patient Characteristics Associated with False Arrhythmia Alarms in Intensive Care

Introduction: A high rate of false arrhythmia alarms leads to clinical alarm fatigue, i.e. desensitization and inappropriate silencing of alarms. Objective: To determine patient characteristics associated with frequent false arrhythmia alarms in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: This descriptive, observational study prospectively enrolled every consecutive patient admitted to 1 of 5 adult ICUs (77 beds) at an urban medical center during March 2013. All monitor alarms and continuous waveforms were automatically stored on a secure server. Expert nurse scientists used a standardized protocol to annotate 6 clinically important arrhythmia alarms (asystole, pause, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, accelerated ventricular rhythm, ventricular bradycardia) as true or false. Medical records were examined to acquire patient characteristic data. Results: A total of 461 unique patients (mean age=60) were enrolled, generating 2,507,822 alarms, including all levels of arrhythmia, parameter, and technical alarms. There were 48,404 hours of patient monitoring time, resulting in an overall alarm rate of 52 alarms/hour. Investigators annotated 12,674 arrhythmia alarms; 11,137 were determined to be false (88%); 250 patients generated at least 1 of the 6 annotated alarm types; 2 patients generated 6,930 alarms (55%). Monitoring time for each patient was measured and number of false alarms/hour calculated for the clinically important arrhythmia alarms (range 0 - 8 false alarms/hour). Patient characteristics were compared with false alarm rates using nonparametric statistics to minimize the influence of outliers. Significant associations included: older age, ≥ 60 years (p=0.005), confused mental status (p Conclusion: Patients likely to trigger a higher number of false arrhythmia alarms are those with confused mental status, on mechanical ventilation, or who have a wide QRS complex due to BBB or pacing. Algorithm improvements need to focus on better noise reduction (motion artifact with confused state) and distinguishing BBB and paced rhythms from ventricular arrhythmias.
Recovery of alkali and alumina from Bayer red mud by the calcification–carbonation method

Red mud produced in the Bayer process is a hazardous solid waste because of its high alkalinity; however, it is rich in valuable components such as titanium, iron, and aluminum. In this study, a novel calcification–carbonation method was developed to recover alkali and alumina from Bayer red mud under mild reaction conditions. Batch experiments were performed to evaluate the potential effects of important parameters such as temperature, amount of CaO added, and CO2 partial pressure on the recovery of alkali and alumina. The results showed that 95.2% alkali and 75.0% alumina were recovered from red mud with decreases in the mass ratios of Na2O to Fe2O3 and of Al2O3 to Fe2O3 from 0.42 and 0.89 to 0.02 and 0.22, respectively. The processed red mud with less than 0.5wt% Na2O can potentially be used as a construction material.
Regenerative design and adaptive reuse of existing commercial buildings for net-zero energy use

Abstract This article discusses feasibility of achieving net-zero energy goals in retrofitting commercial buildings, where a specific case study is presented to illustrate research process, design methods and results. An existing commercial building located in Holyoke, Massachusetts was chosen as the research target to study how to integrate passive design strategies and energy-efficient building systems to improve the building performance and reduce energy consumption. Also, the objective was to investigate how to maximize energy savings and reach net zero energy goals by utilizing renewable energy sources for building’s energy needs. Based on extensive energy modeling and simulations, multiple design considerations were investigated, such as material selection, improvements to building envelope, retrofitting of HVAC and lighting systems, occupancy loads, and application of renewable energy sources. Analysis of simulation results was used to determine how specific techniques lead to energy savings, and how to minimize energy consumption. The research results show that this commercial building is able to meet net-zero energy use after appropriate design manipulations and use of multiple renewable energy sources. The strategies and methodologies can be applied to other adaptive reuse and retrofit projects, and improve energy performance of existing buildings. The contribution of this research is that the methodology can be replicated and applied to other retrofit projects in order to improve energy efficiency associated with existing building stock.
Infections of the Eyelids, Orbit, and Ocular Adnexa

This chapter provides an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of infections of the periocular soft tissues and orbit. Common infections in this area include preseptal and orbital cellulitis and infections of the lacrimal outflow system. Cellulitis commonly originates in the paranasal sinuses and spreads to the orbits by direct extension. It is imperative to distinguish between a superficial infection of the eyelids (preseptal cellulitis) and a deeper infection in the orbit (orbital cellulitis), which can lead to cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) and morbidity affecting multiple organ systems. It is also important to recognize inflammatory conditions which may mimic infection but require different treatments.
Nanoparticles improve economic mileage for CARs.

Abstract Targeted nanoparticles deliver chimeric antigen receptor genes to T cells in situ.
The Impact of Scientific Management Principles on Food Hub

Food hubs have seen substantial growth in the past few decades but the overall operational efficiency and effectiveness is a concern for the managers of these facilities. The experiment designed co...
Use of gene-editing technology to introduce targeted modifications in pigs

Pigs are an important resource in agriculture and serve as a model for human diseases. Due to their physiological and anatomical similarities with humans, pigs can recapitulate symptoms of human diseases, making them a useful model in biomedicine. However, in the past pig models have not been widely used partially because of the difficulty in genetic modification. The lack of true embryonic stem cells in pigs forced researchers to utilize genetic modification in somatic cells and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to generate genetically engineered (GE) pigs carrying site-specific modifications. Although possible, this approach is extremely inefficient and GE pigs born through this method often presented developmental defects associated with the cloning process. Advancement in the gene-editing systems such as Zinc-Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9) system have dramatically increased the efficiency of producing GE pigs. These gene-editing systems, specifically engineered endonucleases, are based on inducing double-stranded breaks (DSBs) at a specific location, and then site-specific modifications can be introduced through one of the two DNA repair pathways: non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology direct repair (HDR). Random insertions or deletions (indels) can be introduced through NHEJ and specific nucleotide sequences can be introduced through HDR, if donor DNA is provided. Use of these engineered endonucleases provides a higher success in genetic modifications, multiallelic modification of the genome, and an opportunity to introduce site-specific modifications during embryogenesis, thus bypassing the need of SCNT in GE pig production. This review will provide a historical prospective of GE pig production and examples of how the gene-editing system, led by engineered endonucleases, have improved GE pig production. We will also present some of our current progress related to the optimal use of CRISPR/Cas9 system during embryogenesis.
Smart sampling and HPC-based probabilistic look-ahead contingency analysis implementation and its evaluation with real-world data

This paper describes a probabilistic look-ahead contingency analysis application that incorporates smart sampling and high-performance computing (HPC) techniques. Smart sampling techniques are implemented to effectively represent the structure and statistical characteristics of uncertainty introduced by different sources in the power system. They can significantly reduce the data set size required for multiple look-ahead contingency analyses, and therefore reduce the time required to compute them. HPC techniques are used to further reduce computational time. These two techniques enable a predictive capability that forecasts the impact of various uncertainties on potential transmission limit violations. The developed package has been tested with real world data from the Bonneville Power Administration. Case study results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the applications developed.
Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on College Student Anxiety: a Meta-Analysis

College student anxiety is a rising recurrent problem. It is the foremost diagnosed and treated mental health condition and has many negative consequences, including attrition and course failure. Mindfulness meditation (MM) is an approach to anxiety reduction comprised of self-regulation and orientation. Meta-analyses have been conducted on MM with adults and children, but not with college age students who are unique in that they have a distinctive set of stressors. Therefore, we examined the effects of MM on anxiety in college students by conducting a meta-analysis. We searched 11 electronic databases, hand searched select journals, and unpublished literature. We located 25 primary studies, providing 28 comparisons, with 1492 participants. The overall summary effect was .56 (p < .001). Major, level of study, MM practice outside of the intervention, and number of sessions moderated the effects of MM on anxiety. Future researchers should examine the specific needs of subgroups: men vs. women, and graduate vs. undergraduate students. Additionally, researchers should test interventions that fit the needs of today’s college students, by limiting outside practice and offering a minimum of eight instructor-led sessions.
Development of a LEED Certified Building—A Case Study

The design and construction of Miller Hall, a 166,000 square foot US$ 75 million dollar LEED Gold certified classroom and office building is the first link in a green supply chain for undergraduate, graduate and continuing corporate education. The building also serves as a platform for a wide variety of faculty research and staff and student activities focusing on sustainability.
Simple Bargaining Agents for Decentralized Market-Based Control

market-based control, economic agents, bargaining, autonomous agent Market-Based Control (MBC) is a resource allocation and control technique where multi-agent systems are built to resemble free-market economies. The aim is that MBC systems exhibit the same decentralization, robustness, and capacity for self-organization as do real economies. MBC systems are relevant to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics in at least two ways: first, the agents in a MBC system need to be robot-like in their ability to autonomously coordinate perception and action in dynamic and uncertain environments that include other agents; second, MBC systems could be used as the control technologies for robots and other “intelligent” autonomous agents. We critically review a selection of MBC systems. We argue that the MBC systems reviewed here are either implicitly reliant on centralized knowledge, or require human operators and hence are not truly automatic. We identify a major issue in creating truly decentralized and automatic MBC systems: the need for the system's agents to be capable of bargaining behaviors. Following this, we briefly summarize our current results and ongoing work in creating multi-agent systems where each autonomous agent has the ability to bargain with other agents. We demonstrate that markets composed of such agents exhibit desirable behaviors, and that such agents could form the basis of truly decentralized MBC systems.
Huge Cohorts, Genomics, and Clinical Data to Personalize Medicine

Precision medicine offers the promise of improved diagnosis and for more effective, patient-specific therapies. Typically, such studies have been pursued using research cohorts. At Vanderbilt, we have linked de-identified electronic health records (EHRs), to a DNA repository, called BioVU, which has nearly 250,000 samples. Through BioVU and a NHGRI-funded network using EHRs for discovery, the Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) network, we have used clinical data of genomic basis of disease and drug response using real-world clinical data. The EHR also enables the inverse experiment - starting with a genotype and discovering all the phenotypes with which it is associated - a phenome-wide association study. By looking for clusters of diseases and symptoms through phenotype risk scores, we find unrecognized genetic variants associated with common disease. The era of huge international cohorts such as the UK Biobank, Million Veteran Program, and the newly started All of Us Research Program will make millions of individuals available with dense molecular and phenotypic data. All of Us launched May 6, 2018 and will engage one million diverse individuals across the US who will contribute data and also receive results back.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Near-Miss Violent Tornadoes in the United States

AbstractIn the hazards literature, a near-miss is defined as an event that had a nontrivial probability of causing loss of life or property but did not due to chance. Frequent near-misses can desen...
Servant Leadership and Need Satisfaction

This chapter In this servant leadership model, another theory from the domain of positive psychology, self-determination theory (SDT; Deci and Ryan in Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior, Plenum, New York, NY, 1985) is used to explain the importance and application of need satisfaction as it pertains to well-being and motivation (Mayer, Servant leadership: Recent developments in theory and research, Palgrave Macmillan, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, pp. 147–154, 2010). Well-being, in this context, refers to eudaimonic rather than hedonic well-being, although researchers have maintained that hedonic well-being can be experienced as an outcome of eudaimonic well-being. For example, Ryan and Deci (Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness, Guilford Publishing, New York, 2017) advanced that an outcome of eudaimonic well-being or flourishing is to feel positive, satisfied, and happy. Like most aspects of Seligman’s (Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being, Free Press, New York, NY, 2011) well-being theory, SDT is also focused on the idea that eudaimonic well-being is found in the process of becoming our best self, fully functioning, or flourishing. A brief overview of SDT will be provided and will be followed by a much closer look at the components of the theory and how it relates to servant leadership.
Intensive Care Unit Ultrasound for Venous Thromboembolism

Venous thromboembolism presents a diagnostic challenge for the critical care practitioner. Bedside ultrasound provides a rapid, noninvasive means of obtaining relevant information. The veins of the lower extremity can be quickly evaluated for deep vein thrombosis using compression ultrasonography. When non-compressible vessels are seen, the clinician can start anticoagulation confidently. Conversely, when all vessels appear patent, compressible, and without echogenic material, anticoagulation can be withheld. Bedside ultrasound also provides a rapid means of evaluating for other causes of shock. A limited bedside echocardiographic examination of the right ventricle allows the clinician to evaluate for presence or absence of signs consistent with pulmonary embolism. The speed, ease, and convenience of bedside ultrasound for evaluation of venous thromboembolism are extremely appealing and can improve daily clinical practice in the intensive care unit.
Precarious, debilitated and ordinary: Rethinking (in)capacity for inclusion

As the effects of high-stakes accountability mandates increasingly impact curricular enactments in schools, careful investigations of the “how” of inclusion may allow the disclosure of its complexi...
Single-institution experience of small cell bladder cancer at a community center.

e17021Background: Small cell bladder cancer (SCBC) is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis. Previous retrospective studies mainly focused on answering whether radical cystectomy is superior to rad...
Formation of Nano-Volcano Structures during Atmospheric, Laser-Driven Chemical Vapor Deposition

Laser-driven chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) is an attractive process for direct write additive manufacturing of both metals and ceramics. While LCVD offers high deposition rates and the ability t...
“That’s My Job” Comparing the Beliefs of More and Less Accomplished Special Educators Related to Their Roles and Responsibilities

The purpose of this study is to understand special education teachers’ beliefs regarding their roles and responsibilities and to determine how these beliefs differ among more and less accomplished ...
Folding by association.

Recent studies of folding of multimeric proteins reveal diverse folding scenarios — ranging from 'induced fit' reactions to 'lock and key' mechanisms.
Requirements Specification and Analysis

Requirements specification and analysis identify, analyze, and model the functionality or “what's” of a prospective software system. The requirements specification and analysis phase of a software project is the most important phase of software development and should not be omitted under any condition. More than half of all software projects have failed because of errors in requirements specification and analysis. The result of this phase is the software requirements specifications document or the SRS that serves as the starting point for the next phase of software development, namely, software design. It is important to note that the requirements specification and analysis phase focuses only on what the software system should do and not on how it should be done; that is, implementation details are not allowed to affect this phase. Software requirements can be classified into two types: functional requirements and nonfunctional requirements, and the SRS includes both types of requirements, analysis artifacts, and models. The source for software requirements is very often the end user of the prospective software system, and the requirements elicited from the end users may be captured in the form of tabular lists, use-cases, user stories, or decision tables. Once requirements have been captured, they are analyzed for determining priorities, dependencies, versions, schedule formation, staff size determination, project cost estimation, formulating acceptance tests, and analyzing nonfunctional requirements. After analysis, the requirements are modeled using unified modeling language diagrams, entity-relationship diagrams, data flow diagrams, or formal methods. This article also discusses requirements management, tool support for requirements specification and analysis, and important research issues in this field. Keywords: analysis; customer; design; elicitation; functional; implementation; JRP; model; narrative; NFR; nonfunctional; requirement; specification; SRS; story; user; use-case; UML
Providing real-time security support for multi-level ad-hoc networks

Digital battlefields have different settings from the existing communication networks like the Internet or cellular networks, which are established on permanent infrastructures and transaction/session-based applications. The constantly changing tactical environment may demand many real-time needs in both data collection and data delivery. We propose a solution that employs: (i) portable mobile real-time data collectors; and (ii) multi-level ad-hoc networks with high-throughput communication channels to gather and deliver multimedia data at real time in digital battlefields, hence providing effective real-time communication and coordination support for all tactical units. This paper studies how to ensure data privacy in such environments. We define the set of metrics to provide quantified security supports to multimedia streams collected and transmitted at real time. Our implementation and measurements on portable mobile devices demonstrate that the metrics are useful in evaluating modern cipher algorithms based on their encryption performance and other throughput requirements.
Health Care in a Free Enterprise System

The free enterprise system has brought tremendous benefits, but great difficulty. The American Health Care is like a gifted child: it has the intellectual capacity without the commensurate emotional development to use wisdom in its application of technology. It has led to a shift in focus from human experience of illness to various technologic facts of disease. What the patient tells has diminished in intensity and necessity. We seem to have a great deal of difficulty raking seriously any human suffering that cannot be directly related to an anatomic or pathophysiologic derangement. There is a fervent belief in the Powers of the great god, Science which has led the public to demand from its doctors and their, machines what they once asked only of their gods.
Analytic Corrections to Computational Heating Predictions Accounting for Changes in Surface Catalysis

A new approach for combining the insight afforded by integral boundary-layer analysis with comprehensive (but time-intensive ) computational e uid dynamic e owe eld solutions of the thin-layer Navier ‐Stokes equations is described. The approach extracts computationally simulated quantities at the wall and at the boundary-layer edge for inclusion in a postprocessing boundary-layer analysis. It allows a designer at a workstation to address the question, given a single computational solution, “ How much does the heating change for a thermal protection system with catalytic properties different from those used in the original numerical simulation?” Capabilities of this approach for application to reusable launch vehicle design are demonstrated. If the dee nition of surface catalysis is uncertain early in thedesign process, results show that fully catalyticwall boundary conditionsprovide the best baseline for computationally simulated design points.
Small molecule modulators of Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway as potential preventive and therapeutic agents.

Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway represents one of the most important cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress and xenobiotic damage. Activation of Nrf2 signaling induces the transcriptional regulation of ARE-dependent expression of various detoxifying and antioxidant defense enzymes and proteins. Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling has become an attractive target for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases and conditions including cancer, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Over the last few decades, numerous Nrf2 inducers have been developed and some of them are currently undergoing clinical trials. Recently, over-activation of Nrf2 has been implicated in cancer progression as well as in drug resistance to cancer chemotherapy. Thus, Nrf2 inhibitors could potentially be used to improve the effectiveness of cancer therapy. Herein, we review the signaling mechanism of Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway, its disease relevance, and currently known classes of small molecule modulators. We also discuss several aspects of Keap1-Nrf2 interaction, Nrf2-based peptide inhibitor design, and the screening assays currently used for the discovery of direct inhibitors of Keap1-Nrf2 interaction.
New Metacognitive Model for Human Performance Technology.

Addressing metacognitive functions has been shown to improve performance at the individual, team, group, and organizational levels. Metacognition is beginning to surface as an added cognate discipline for the field of human performance technology (HPT). Advances from research in the fields of cognition and metacognition offer a place for HPT to expand its theoretical base. This article summarizes current theories of metacognition and presents a new metacognitive model for HPT.
Combining evolving neural network classifiers using bagging

The performance of the neural network classifier significantly depends on its architecture and generalization. It is usual to find the proper architecture by trial and error. This is time consuming and may not always find the optimal network. For this reason, we apply genetic algorithms to the automatic generation of neural networks. Many researchers have provided that combining multiple classifiers improves generalization. One of the most effective combining methods is bagging. In bagging, training sets are selected by resampling from the original training set and classifiers trained with these sets are combined by voting. We implement the bagging technique into the training of evolving neural network classifiers to improve generalization.
Unbound ligand drives hepatocyte taurocholate and BSP uptake at physiological albumin concentration.

We have recently shown (D. Sorrentino, R.B. Robinson, C.-L. Kiang, and P.D. Berk. J. Clin. Invest. 84: 1325-1333, 1989) that, in a variety of isolated cell types, the uptake of oleate at physiological albumin concentrations is consistent with traditional pharmacokinetic theory (i.e., driven by unbound ligand). Lower albumin concentrations were associated with a deviant uptake pattern for which alternative theories have been proposed. Whether other classes of organic anions exhibit similar behavior is unknown. Therefore, we examined the effect of albumin on uptake of two widely studied organic anions, sulfobromophthalein (BSP) and taurocholate. Initial uptake velocity of [35S]BSP and [3H]taurocholate by isolated hepatocytes was studied employing a fixed albumin concentration and ligand-to-albumin molar ratios from 0.01:1 to 2:1 for taurocholate and 0.031:1 to 0.75:1 for BSP. In other experiments, albumin and ligand were altered in parallel, keeping their molar ratio constant. Unbound taurocholate concentrations were measured directly by equilibrium dialysis; unbound BSP concentrations were calculated from published data (K.J. Baker and S.E. Bradley. J. Clin. Invest. 45: 281-287, 1966). At 600 microM albumin, uptake of both ligands was a function of the unbound ligand concentration. At low ligand-to-albumin molar ratios and consequent unbound ligand concentrations this relationship was linear; over the entire range of unbound ligand concentrations studied, both ligands exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with definable maximal velocity and Michaelis constant values. At low albumin concentrations, the relationships between uptake and unbound ligand were unchanged for taurocholate; however, BSP exhibited altered kinetics similar to those observed with oleate. Nontraditional uptake kinetics at low albumin concentrations appear to correlate with very high affinity for albumin.
Hack writing vs. belle letters : The strategic implications of literary achievement

Une etude des strategies commerciales developpees dans le domaine litteraire. L'A. montre comment les ecrivains utilisent de veritables techniques de marketing pour favoriser la diffusion de leurs oeuvres. Le champ litteraire apparait ainsi egalement comme un marche
The effects of weapons of mass destruction on children.

PURPOSE: Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction (WMD) because of physiologic, pharmacologic, and developmental characteristics. Presentation of signs and symptoms of exposure to biological and chemical agents are similar to those seen in adults. Pediatric considerations for decontamination and treatment of child victims of biological and chemical agents are discussed. CONCLUSION: As front-line providers, nurses need to be aware of potential agents, their uses and effects as WMD, and recommended treatments. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Understanding the additional physiologic and situational needs of children, nurses can optimize the survival and outcomes of children when disaster strikes. Language: en
Validating and Scaling the MicroGrid: A Scientific Instrument for Grid Dynamics

Large-scale Grids that aggregate and share resources over wide-area networks present major challenges in understanding dynamic application and resource behavior for performance, stability, and reliability. Accurate study of the dynamic behavior of applications, middleware, resources, and networks depends on coordinated and accurate modeling of all four of these elements simultaneously. We have designed and implemented a tool called the MicroGrid which enables accurate and comprehensive study of the dynamic interaction of applications, middleware, resource, and networks. The MicroGrid creates a virtual Grid environment – accurately modeling networks, resources, the information services (resource and network metadata) transparently. Thus, the MicroGrid enables users, Grid researchers, or Grid operators to study arbitrary collections of resources and networks. The MicroGrid includes the MaSSF online network simulator which provides packet-level accurate, but scalable network modeling. We present experimental results with applications which validate the implementation of the MicroGrid, showing that it not only runs real Grid applications and middleware, but that it accurately models both their and underlying resource and network behavior. We also study a range of techniques for scaling a critical part of the online network simulator to the simulation of large networks. These techniques employ a sophisticated graph partitioner, and a range of edge and node weighting schemes exploiting a range of static network and dynamic application information. The best of these, profile-driven placement, scales well to online simulation of large networks of 6,000 nodes using 24 simulation engine nodes.
Alfvén wave propagation in a partially ionized plasma

Results from a laboratory study of the dispersion relation of Alfven waves propagating through a partially ionized plasma are presented. The plasma is generated using a helicon source, creating a high density, current-free discharge, where the source can be adjusted to one of several modes with varying neutral fraction. Depending on the neutral fraction, the measured dispersion curve of shear Alfven waves can change significantly. Measurement results are compared with theoretical predictions of the effect of neutral particles on Alfven wave propagation. In fitting the theory, the neutral fraction is independently estimated using two simple particle transport models, one collisionless, the other collisional. The two models predict comparable neutral fractions, and agree well with the neutral fraction required for the Alfven dispersion theory.
A pregnancy lifestyle intervention to prevent gestational diabetes risk factors in overweight Hispanic women: a feasibility randomized controlled trial.

Aims To pilot the feasibility of a prenatal lifestyle intervention to modify physical activity and diet among pregnant overweight and obese Hispanic women, with the aim of reducing risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods Women were randomized either to a lifestyle intervention (n = 33, 48.5%), consisting of a culturally and linguistically modified, motivationally targeted, individually tailored 6-month prenatal programme, or to standard care (n = 35, 51.5%). Bilingual and bicultural health educators encouraged women to achieve guidelines for physical activity, decrease saturated fat and increase dietary fibre. Outcomes included gestational weight gain, infant birth weight and biomarkers associated with insulin resistance. Results Patient retention up to delivery was 97% in both study groups. The lifestyle intervention attenuated the pregnancy-associated decline in moderate-intensity physical activity, but differences between groups were not significant (mean ± se −23.4 ± 16.6 vs −27.0 ± 16.2 metabolic equivalent of task h/week; P = 0.88). Vigorous-intensity activity increased during the course of pregnancy in the lifestyle intervention group (mean ± se 1.6 ± 0.8 metabolic equivalent of task h/week) and declined in the standard care group (−0.8 ± 0.8 metabolic equivalent of task h/week; P = 0.04). The lifestyle intervention group also had slightly lower gestational weight gain and infant birth weights compared with the standard care group; however, these differences were not statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences in biomarkers of insulin resistance between groups. Conclusions Findings suggest that a motivationally matched lifestyle intervention is feasible and may help attenuate pregnancy-related decreases in vigorous physical activity in a population of overweight and obese Hispanic women. The intervention protocol can readily be translated into clinical practice in underserved and minority populations.
The time evolution of spectral discretizations of hyperbolic systems

A Chebyshev collocation spectral method for hyperbolic systems is considered, particularly for those initial boundary problems which admit only solutions tending to zero at large times. It is shown that the numerical solution will also vanish at infinity, under the same conditions. These results are then generalized for other spectral approximations.