cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mining history, poems and songs: Extensible lessons about extractable corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Abstract The mining industry is regarded by many as the poster child for weak Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This view requires updating; while some mining companies are still caught engaging in bad behavior, others are at the forefront of global best practices in CSR. Mining CSR is complex and challenging: operations are extremely labor- and capital-intensive, often in remote locations where political issues might arise. It is dangerous work. Profitability requires complex production and logistics chains and long payback horizons, and mining is environmentally- and socially-intrusive and extensive. But this has been true throughout mining’s history. Lessons can be drawn about CSR from mining history, song, and poetry which can be extended into other extractive industries and even beyond.
Systematic determination of microRNAs associated with chemosensitivity of 5-fluorouracil, CPT-11, and oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer

B13 Background: Non-coding small microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional and translational level and altered miRNA expression has been linked to tumorigenesis. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that tumor suppressor p53 mediated a number of miRNAs expression and several of these miRNAs were associated with patient’s response and survival in colorectal cancer. In this study, the involvement of miRNAs in chemosentitivity of several anticancer agents was systematically determined using miRNA expression profiling approach. Materials and Methods: We systematically examined the expression changes of miRNAs in response to genotoxic stress including 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), CPT-11, and Oxaliplatin in human colon cancer HCT-116 (wt-p53) and HCT-116 (null-p53) cells. The miRNA expression profiles were quantified by miRCURY Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) array analysis. ImaGene 7.0 and GeneSpring 7.2 Software were employed for data analysis with 2-fold cut-off for expression threshold. The impact of certain miRNAs on chemosensitivity was characterized based on the overexpression of miRNAs and the LD-50 changes were quantified using XTT assays. Results: Differential miRNA expression profiles related to chemosensitivity were discovered by comparing the profiles of miRNAs between HCT-116 (wt-p53) and HCT-116 (null-p53) cells treated with three different anticancer agents. The expression of 101 miRNAs was altered in response to 5-FU, 60 miRNAs were involved in CPT-11 treatment and 64 differentially regulated miRNAs were associated with Oxaliplatin exposure with 2-fold cut-off. Although each genotoxic agent yields unique miRNA expression profiles, there are 29 overlap miRNAs involved in all three different treatments exclusively in HCT-116 (wt-p53) cells. Some of them had been validated and determined to be related to chemosensitivity. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive understanding of miRNAs involved in response to several key anticancer agents in colorectal cancer. Some of them may become potential novel targets to overcome chemoresistance and benefit the personalized treatment in the colorectal cancer.
Chemical Tools for Delivery of COS and H2S

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and related reactive sulfur species are now recognized to play important and expanded roles in biology, health, and disease. Aligned with this increased interest, chemical tools that enable H2S delivery have emerged as important research tools with high pharmacological potential. In our efforts to expand the available toolbox of compounds that enable H2S-delivery, we have recently demonstrated H2S release from synthetic polysulfides as well as caged thiocarbamate motifs. The thiocarbamate-based H2S donors function through the initial release of carbonyl sulfide (COS), which is quickly converted to H2S by carbonic anhydrase (CA), which is expressed widely in mammalian systems. One added benefit of such systems is that they can be tuned to release COS/H2S in response to specific biological or biorthogonal stimuli, thus providing a broad platform for tuning the donor motifs for specific applications. This presentation will focus on recent work from our lab aimed at (1) diversifying available COS/H2S donor core motifs and (2) preparing and applying new COS donors activated by specific stimuli, including biologically-relevant small molecules, bio-orthogonal triggers, and enzymatic reactions. In addition, we will also provide early insights into mitochondrial bioenergetics measurements that suggest that COS may exert different activities than H2S in certain systems, thus highlighting the potential biological roles of this under-investigated small molecule.
Screw Dislocation Generation by Inclusions in Molecular Crystals

Dislocations in crystals affect material properties and are essential for crystal growth near equilibrium, yet their genesis in the absence of external or internal stresses is unresolved. X-ray topography has revealed microscopic inclusions as dislocation sources, but the real-time creation of a dislocation by a particulate inclusion has not been reported. In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used herein to visualize dislocation generation in an l-cystine crystal by a cube-like hematite particle embedded in, and slightly inclined with respect to, the l-cystine {0001} surface. The particle produced two pairs of heterochiral screw dislocations with opposing Burgers vectors. After overgrowth of the particle, dissolution in undersaturated solutions revealed the dislocations once again until the detachment of the particle exposed a flat basal plane devoid of dislocations, thereby corroborating the essential role of the particle. Hematite particles with their flat faces parallel or at high angle to the sur...
Facilitating Earlier Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Disease through Point-of-Care Biosensors: A Review

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for 30% of all global deaths and is predicted to dominate in the coming years, despite vast improvements in medical technology. Current clinical methods of assessing an individual's cardiovascular health include blood tests to monitor relevant biomarker levels as well as varying imaging modalities such as electrocardiograms, computed tomography, and angiograms to assess vasculature. As informative as these tools are, they each require lengthy scheduling, preparation, and highly trained personnel to interpret the results before any information is accessible to patients, often leading to delayed treatment, which can be fatal. A point-of-care (POC) sensor platform is thus paramount in rapid and early diagnosis of CVD. Among the many POC detection platforms, including established optical and mechanical methods, electrochemical-based detection mechanisms have become increasingly desirable because of their superior sensitivity, low cost, and label-free detection. Specifically, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has demonstrated remarkable abilities in low-level (femtomolar) detection of several clinically useful biomarkers and has been reported in CVD diagnostic applications. In this review, we provide an in-depth overview of prevalent CVD diseases and clinically relevant proteomic biomarkers for assessing them. Subsequently, we discuss the ongoing development of POC sensors for CVD, highlighting the current clinical gold standard, potential alternative modalities, and electrochemical methodologies previously successful in quantifying specific biomarkers approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A discussion of EIS highlighting the attributes and capabilities of novel analysis algorithms is included to showcase the possibility of simultaneous dual-marker detection.
Genetic and Epigenetics of Type 2 Diabetes

Over the past three decades, the global prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has rapidly and relentlessly increased, and in the United States, 8.3% have T2D. In order to prevent the epidemic rise, it is necessary to define the genetic and epigenetic defects responsible for characterizing this common and complex disease. T2D is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and arises from a combination of insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction. Environmental factors including physical inactivity and caloric excess play a key role in the development of the disease. However, genetic factors also contribute to the pathogenesis of T2D, and more recently, epigenetic influences such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs have been proposed in the pathogenesis of this complex disease. This article will provide an up-to-date review on the genetics and epigenetics of T2D.
The New Idea: Shifting Educational Paradigms to Achieve Racial Equality in Special Education

African American students are being re-segregated in today's public schools by their disproportionate placement in special education classes for the disabled pursuant to the Individuals With Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). At the same time, the overall number of children found disabled and entitled to special education under the Act has skyrocketed over the past decade, leaving special education classes with swollen roles and inadequate resources. Congress attempts to remedy this divisive dual eligibility crisis when it re-authorized the IDEA in 2004 by promoting an educational paradigm of individualized instruction in general education. The new IDEA seeks to "fix" special education by "fixing" general education through encouraging schools to provide students with a certain level of individualized instruction in general education before referring the child to special education. Congress recognized that general education must employ a certain level of specialized instruction in the classroom rather than resign today's diverse learners that require slight instructional modifications to special education with its attendant harms. This Article argues that the new IDEA will inevitably fail at preventing the over-identification of students as eligible, particularly African American students, because it adopts, but does not embrace, its new pedagogy. The educational paradigm of individualized instruction in general education, already utilized in many classrooms, cannot take root until specialized instruction is pried from the exclusive control of special education. This cannot be accomplished without revisiting the archaic and vague special education eligibility standards, which fail to produce uniform outcomes and permit unconscious bias and racism to influence eligibility determinations. This Article contends that the critical first step remedying special education's dual eligibility crisis is to restrictively define "special education" and who "needs" it to ensure that only truly disabled students with unique needs, rather than mere instructional casualties from a poor general education system, are found eligible for special education.
The Award for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology: The Road to Realization.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the creative and operational processes involved in the creation of the Award for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology, an innovative faculty award established at the University of Richmond in 2000.
Decreased Hepatic Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Gene Expression after 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin Treatment: Implications for the Acute Toxicity of Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins in the Rat

Decreased activity of the the rate limiting gluconeogenic enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), has been recently suggested to be the critical lesion in the acute toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). We now show that other toxicologically relevant chlorinated dibenzo-P-dioxins (CDDs), with chlorine substituents in the crucial 2-,3-,7-, and 8-positions, exert the same effect on PEPCK activity. The doses required to cause this enzyme inhibition are within the acutely toxic range for each homologue, suggesting the same mechanism of action for these compounds. To further investigate the mechanism whereby dioxins decrease PEPCK activity, Northern analysis was performed using a cDNA probe complementary to a portion of the PEPCK mRNA. We could demonstrate that after TCDD treatment hepatic PEPCK mRNA was decreased by as much as 90% compared to pair-fed control animals (day 8 after dosing). This decrease in PEPCK mRNA was paralleled by a decrease of the amount of PEPCK protein and enzymatic activity. These results indicate that the physiological changes which occur in TCDD-treated animals (decreased feed consumption, low plasma insulin and elevated plasma corticosterone levels) which under normal conditions increase PEPCK gene expression and enzyme activity, are not effective in stimulating PEPCK synthesis in TCDD-treated animals.
Imoxin attenuates LPS-induced inflammation and MuRF1 expression in mouse skeletal muscle.

The double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) contributes to inflammatory cytokine expression and disease pathogenesis in many conditions. Limited data are available on the efficacy of the PKR inhibitor imoxin to prevent lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in skeletal muscle in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of imoxin, a PKR inhibitor, on inflammatory and atrophy signaling in skeletal muscle in response to an acute inflammatory insult with LPS. Six-week old C57BL/6J mice received vehicle (saline) or 0.5 mg/kg imoxin 24 and 2 h prior to induction of inflammation via 1 mg/kg LPS. Gastrocnemius muscles were collected 24 h post-LPS and mRNA and protein expression were assessed. LPS lead to a loss of body weight, which was similar in Imoxin+LPS. There were no differences in muscle weight among groups. LPS increased gastrocnemius mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-1β, and protein levels of NLRP3, all of which were attenuated by imoxin. Similarly, IL-6 mRNA and IL-1β protein were suppressed in Imoxin+LPS compared to LPS alone. LPS increased mRNA of the atrogenes, MuRF1 and MAFbx, and imoxin attenuated the LPS-induced increase in MuRF1 mRNA, and lowered MuRF1 protein. Imoxin+LPS increased p-Akt compared to saline or LPS, whereas p-mTOR was unaltered. FoxO1 was upregulated and p-FoxO1/FoxO1 reduced by LPS, both of which were prevented by imoxin. Both LPS and Imoxin+LPS had diminished p-FoxO3/FoxO3 compared to control. These results demonstrate the potential anti-inflammatory and anti-atrophy effects of imoxin on skeletal muscle in vivo.
Musculoskeletal Screening to Identify Female Collegiate Rowers at Risk for Low Back Pain

Context Rowers are at risk for overuse injuries, including low back pain (LBP). Defining the utility of screening tests for identifying those at risk for LBP can aid in the development of guideline...
14 Fuel Cells

This chapter presents an overview of contemporary fuel cell technology. After an introduction to the fuel cell and its history, fuel cell theories are described, including the principles, thermodynamics, and reaction kinetics, laying the foundations of a basic understanding of fuel cell technologies. The different types of fuel cell, such as PEMFC, SOFC, AFC, PAFC, and MCFC, are then described, and the state-of-the-art components, systems, and performances of each fuel cell type are discussed. Cell applications are then outlined, including stationary power generation, transportation, backup power, and small portable power applications. Finally, the major challenges and barriers to fuel cell commercialization are summarized. Keywords: Fuel cell; polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell; alkaline fuel cell; phosphoric acid fuel cell; molten carbonate fuel cell; solid oxide fuel cell; fuel cell vehicle
Rare Earth Impurities in Wide Gap Semiconductors

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a review of the luminescence characteristics of wide gap compound semiconductors doped with rare earth atoms. In particular, aspects of rare earth atom incorporation in the semiconductor crystal, photoluminescence properties, and prototype electroluminescent devices are addressed in the chapter. Intra-subshell transitions of 4f electrons in rare earth ions lead to narrow absorption peaks in the ultra-violet, visible, and near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because it appears that the intensity of the room temperature light emission of these ions depends upon the energy bandgap of the host material, wide gap semiconductors may prove to be the best materials for optoelectronic device applications. Prototype electroluminescent (EL) devices have been fabricated based on both low gap semiconductors and wide gap semiconductors. In general, the emission efficiencies need to be improved. The use of wide gap semiconductors leads to less thermal quenching of the electroluminescence. However, O doped Si does lead to state-of-the-art EL devices. Because of the intense current research in SiC and III–V nitride semiconductors, improvements in the crystal quality and in the processing technology of these materials are likely to occur. Such advances will assist efforts to develop EL devices based on wide gap semiconductors doped with RE ions.
Prognosis and Prevention

What is the outcome for my child when he or she grows up? is a frequent question asked by parents of ADHD children. “Will he outgrow the ADHD?” “Will he need continued treatment with stimulant medication into adulthood?” “Is there an increased risk of drug abuse in adults with a history of childhood ADHD?” Some of the answers to these questions remain controversial, the outcome being influenced by complicating comorbid disorders and other factors.
Optimal Sequencing Policies for Recovery of Physical Infrastructure After Disasters

In this paper, we consider a disaster scenario where multiple physical infrastructure components suffer damage. After the disaster, the health of these components continue to deteriorate over time, unless they are being repaired. Given this setting, we consider the problem of finding the optimal sequence to repair the different infrastructure components in order to maximize the number of components that are eventually returned to full health. We show that the optimal sequence depends on the relationship between the rate of improvement (when being repaired) and the rate of deterioration (when not being repaired). We explicitly characterize the optimal repair policy as a function of the health states of the different components under certain conditions on the rates of improvement and deterioration.
Text Message Interventions for Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Context Despite clear health benefits, many individuals fail to achieve the recommended levels of physical activity. Text message interventions to promote physical activity hold promise owing to the ubiquity of cell phones and the low expense of text message delivery. Evidence acquisition A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to examine the impact of text message interventions on physical activity. Searches of PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases from inception to December 2017 were performed to identify studies investigating one-way text message interventionss to promote physical activity. A subset of RCTs, including an objective (accelerometer-based) physical activity outcome, were included in random-effects meta-analyses in 2018. Evidence synthesis The systematic search revealed 944 articles. Of these, 59 were included in the systematic review (12 1-arm trials and 47 controlled trials; n=8,742; mean age, 42.2 years; 56.2% female). In meta-analyses of 13 studies (n=1,346), text message interventionss led to significantly greater objectively measured postintervention steps/day (Cohen's d=0.38, 95% CI=0.19, 0.58, n=10 studies). Analysis of postintervention moderate-to-vigorous physical activity found a similar but not statistically significant effect (Cohen's d=0.31, 95% CI= −0.01, 0.63, n=5 studies). Interventions with more components, tailored content, and interventions in medical populations led to nonsignificantly larger effect sizes compared with text message interventions without these features. Conclusions Text message interventions lead to higher objectively measured postintervention physical activity compared with control groups. More extensive, well-controlled studies are needed to examine this relationship further and identify characteristics of effective text message interventions.
pH-Response of polycation/Ti3C2Tx MXene layer-by-layer assemblies for use as resistive sensors

The importance and widespread need for accurate pH monitoring necessitates the fabrication of new pH sensors with high sensitivity that can be used in a variety of environments. However, typical pH sensors have certain limitations (e.g., glass electrodes are fragile and require consistent upkeep, colorimetric pH strips are single use and inaccurate). Herein, we examine the pH-response of multilayers consisting of Ti3C2Tx nanosheets and polycations fabricated using layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. The MXene sheets themselves are pH-responsive due to their hydroxyl surface groups, and this effect may be amplified with the choice of an appropriate polycation. Specifically, the performance of multilayers assembled with the strong electrolyte poly (diallyldimethylammonium) (PDADMA) or pH-sensitive branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) is compared. As expected, the use of a pH-sensitive constituent leads to a 464% increase in pH sensitivity (116 kΩ pH−1 unit vs. 25 kΩ pH−1 unit) as compared to PDADMA. This is due to the conformational changes that BPEI undergoes with (de)protonation as pH changes. Further comparisons with reduced graphene oxide (rGO), which is far less pH responsive, confirm the unique pH responsivity of MXene nanosheets themselves. The ability to enhance response to particular stimuli by changing the constituent polycation demonstrates promise for future use of MXenes in resistive sensors for a variety of stimuli.
Caterpillar dermatitis: A brief report

A 3 year-old boy presented to our clinic with a 3-day history of itchy rash involving the face and limbs and recent contact with a caterpillar. A diagnosis of caterpillar dermatitis was suspected. This condition has rarely been reported and may be underestimated in the pediatric population who may suffer more systemic symptoms associated with caterpillar contact.
Complexity assessment and technical aspect of coronary angiogram and percutaneous coronary intervention following transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Performing selective coronary angiogram (CA) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) post transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) may be challenging with various success rates of coronary ostia engagement. Methods: Among all patients who underwent CA and/or PCI after TAVI from our single center TAVI registry, ostia cannulation success was reported according to the quality of ostia engagement and artery opacification, and was classified as either selective, partially selective or non-selective but sufficient for diagnosis. Results: Among the 424 consecutive TAVI procedures performed at the aforementioned institution, 20 (4.7%) CA were performed in 19 (4.5%) patients at a median time of 464 days post TAVI (25–75% IQ: 213–634 days). CA were performed in 7 CoreValve, 9 Evolut R, 1 Evolut PRO and 2 Edwards Sapien 3 devices. Transradial vascular approach was attempted in 9 procedures (45%, right n = 6 and left n = 3) and was successful in 8 (40%) patients. A total of 20 left main artery ostium cannulation were attempted leading to a diagnostic CA in all of them with selective engagement in 65%. Engagement of the right coronary artery in 2 out of 15 attempted cases failed due to a low ostium in conjunction with a high implantation of a CoreValve prosthesis. 11 PCI (55% of CA) including 2 left main lesions were performed. In 4 patients (36.4% of the PCI), an extension catheter was required to engage the left main. All planned PCI were successful. Conclusions: Post TAVI CA and PCI are challenging but feasible even after supra-annular self-expandable valve implantation.
Assessing social determinants of health in a safety-net oncology population: Use of an EHR-based screening and referral system.

e19072Background: Routine electronic health record (EHR)-based screening and resource referral to address social determinants of health (SDOH) have been established in adult primary care clinics an...
Scale–Space Data Augmentation for Deep Transfer Learning of Crack Damage from Small Sized Datasets

Crack damage is commonly observed for civil structures and infrastructure in service. The recent years have witnessed an excessive utilization of deep learning models for realizing autonomous and machine-vision based crack detection. Given this trend, this paper recognizes two entwined challenges: the preparation of large-scale training data and the detection of simple crack damage amid complex scenes. To address them, a novel data augmentation technique is proposed considering crack characteristics in images for realizing deep transfer learning using very small datasets. Numerical experimentation is conducted based on two types of crack datasets (concrete structures and asphalt pavement), each of which has only tens of images containing complex scenes. When evaluating the performance, a sliding-window based rating scheme is proposed, which is much stricter than the conventional bounding-box based approach. Quantitative performance analysis shows the acceptable performance (e.g., an overall accuracy of 93.81%, an F-2 score of 74.4%, and a very high recall of 91% for the crack detection in concrete images). The result demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed data augmentation method and the superior transferability if the transfer learning is carried out through a fully fine-tuned training process.
LA 9th JDC (Rapides Parish) Study on Race, Homicides, and Prosecutions, 1982-2014

This is the eighth Louisiana Judicial District Court study, following studies of JDCs 1, 14, 15, 16, 19, 22, and 24. In addition to Rapides Parish (JDC 9) data, this study includes cumulative data from the previous studies, and demonstrates how the cumulative race prosecution rates are affected by the addition of Rapides. This is part of the theory testing step in scientific method, to test the working theory that "maldistribution is systemic, occurring in uniform patterns across the jurisdictions." The results in Rapides bolster the working theory, insofar as maldistribution in Rapides dovetails with the patterns of variance found in previous studies.
Structure-property and thermodynamic relationships in rare earth (Y, Eu, Pr) iridate pyrochlores

Abstract This study relates structure, properties and thermodynamics, through synthesis, characterization and heat of formation measurements of rare earth iridate pyrochlore (RE2Ir2O7; RE ​= ​Y, Eu, Pr) crystalline powders. The RE2Ir2O7 phases are synthesized by high temperature solid-state synthesis methods. X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis techniques are utilized to validate the synthesis and enable structural comparisons. Trends in the bond angles indicate deviations from the Y and Eu analogs for the Pr2Ir2O7 phase. High temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry is used to determine the heats of formation of each phase. Breaking the trend expected across the rare earth series, the enthalpy of formation for Pr2Ir2O7 is more exothermic than the anticipated from the Y and Eu analogs.
Failure of Apollo Saturn V liquid oxygen loading system.

The mechanical portion of the transfer system for loading the Saturn V vehicle with liquid oxygen (LOX) consists essentially of a storage vessel, two main transfer pumps with speed controllers, two replenish pumps with speed controllers, a vaporizer for storage vessel pressurization, two transfer lines and associated piping and valves.
Utility of citrate dialysate in management of acute kidney injury in children

Dialysis concentrate acidified with citrate as opposed to acetate has been reported to prevent clotting in hemodialysis circuits, and improve dialysis efficiency in adults. There is no information on its use in children. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the utility of citrate dialysate for renal replacement therapy in a pediatric population with acute kidney injury. We performed a retrospective review of our experience using Citrasate(®) concentrate from December 2007 to August 2009. All treatments were provided using the Fresenius 2008 dialysis machine. Citrasate(®) was utilized in 7 children aged 60.3±51.0 months (mean±SD), range 13 months to 12 years. The number of treatments varied from 4 to 31 (mean 12±8 treatments) for a total of 89 treatments. Rare sporadic mild hypocalcemia was noted but could not be definitively linked with the use of Citrasate(®). Four children also required low-dose heparin (3.6-15 U/kg/h) due to clotting. Activated clotting times (when checked) were not affected by this low-dose heparin therapy. Some degree of clotting occurred in 21 of 89 (23.5%) treatments. Early termination of treatment due to thrombosis was required in 7 of 89 (7.8%) treatments. In summary, use of Citrasate(®) dialysis concentrate was well tolerated in critically ill children with acute kidney injury. Citrasate(®) reduced but did not completely eliminate the need for heparin in our population. Further study in a more diverse population would be helpful.
Critical role of phosphodiesterase 4 in alcohol induced hepatic steatosis (653.11)

Alcohol induced hepatic steatosis is a significant risk factor for progressive liver disease. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) has been shown to play a significant role in the regulation of he...
MULTIDISCIPLINARY PRACTICE REDUX: GLOBALIZATION, CORE VALUES, AND REVIVING THE MDP DEBATE IN AMERICA

INTRODUCTION: THE DEATH AND LIFE OF THE MDP When in August 2000 the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates rejected the recommendations of its own Commission on Multidisciplinary Practice that the Model Rules of Professional Conduct be amended to permit integrated multidisciplinary practices (MDPs) involving lawyers and other professionals, it did so with a vengeance. The passage of Resolution 10F followed a nearly three-year investigation and rancorous debate within the ABA. The Resolution emphatically rejected fee sharing with nonlawyers and nonlawyer ownership and control of law firms as “inconsistent with the core values of the legal profession” and proposed that rules barring such alternative service delivery innovations be preserved. 1 The Resolution provided a nonexhaustive list of “core values” and urged that each jurisdiction responsible for lawyer regulation implement the “principles” set out in the resolution, all of which would function as a bulwark against encroachment on the traditional law firm model. 2 For all intents and purposes, the MDP was dead, buried in “core values” rhetoric. That rhetoric served to preserve a regime for the delivery of legal services,
All-optical serial processing in 100 Gbit/s fiber networks

The challenges and some candidate devices for ultrafast serial optical processing in all-optical fiber networks will be discussed. Our goal is to demonstrate key building blocks for a 100 Gbit/sec, time-division multiplexed, soliton ring network, which is a "light-pipe" network using fiber highways and all-optical interchanges. In particular, key enabling technologies required for reading the address on an information packet at speeds of l00 Gbit/s will be reviewed.
Multiple variations of WPW conduction in one subject: Intermittent normal conduction and a false positive exercise tolerance test

Abstract A case is presented demonstrating a number of important facets of the WPW syndrome: (1) Multiple variation in ventricular excitation; (2) intermittent normal electrocardiograms; (3) variations in the P-R interval with P-R intervals of 0.14 second in the presence of pre-excitation; (4) ST segment and T wave changes secondary to pre-excitation (this leads to a false impression of a positive exercise tolerance test); (5) conversion to normal conduction. No other arrhythmia or indication of underlying cardiac disease was noted.
A cost-effective agent for clinical trial assignment

The purpose of a clinical trial is to evaluate a new treatment procedure. When medical researchers conduct a trial, they recruit participants with appropriate medical histories. To select participants, the researchers analyze medical records of the available patients, which has traditionally been a manual procedure. We describe an intelligent agent that helps to select patients for clinical trials. If the available data are insufficient for choosing patients, the agent suggests additional medical tests and finds an ordering of the tests that reduces their total cost. Keywords—Medical expert systems, automated diagnosis, clinical trials.
Effects of Incoherence, Wave Passage and Spatially Varying Site Conditions on Bridge Response

Recent earthquakes in California and Japan have clearly demonstrated that seismic ground motions can vary significantly over distances that are of the same order of magnitude as the span lengths of extended structures, such as bridges. Such incoherent support motions may induce forces in multiply-supported structures, commonly known as pseudo-static forces, that are absent in structures uniformly excited at their base. At the same time, the forces generated by dynamic inertia effects tend to be smaller in the case of incoherent support motions due to the effect of random cancellations. The total effect, i.e., the sum of dynamic and pseudo-static forces, can be larger or smaller than the forces generated by uniform base excitation, depending on the characteristics of the structure and the ground motion field.
Neurokinin-1 receptor: functional significance in the immune system in reference to selected infections and inflammation

The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R), and its preferred ligand, substance P (SP), are reviewed in relationship to the immune system and selected infections. NK1R and SP are ubiquitous throughout the animal kingdom. This important pathway has unique functions in numerous cells and tissues. The interaction of SP with its preferred receptor, NK1R, leads to the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and proinflammatory cytokines. NK1R has two isoforms, both a full-length and a truncated form. These isoforms have different functional significances and differ in cell signaling capability. The proinflammatory signals modulated by SP are important in bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic diseases, as well as in immune system function. The SP-NK1R system is a major class 1, rhodopsin-like GPCR ligand-receptor interaction.
On the path to fusion energy - Teller lecture 2005

There is a need to develop alternate energy sources in the coming century because fossil fuels will become depleted and their use may lead to global climate change. Inertial fusion can become such an energy source, but significant progress must be made before its promise is realized. The high-density approach to inertial fusion suggested by Nuckolls et al. leads reaction chambers compatible with civilian power production. Methods to achieve the good control of hydrodynamic stability and implosion symmetry required to achieve these high fuel densities will be discussed. Fast Ignition, a technique that achieves fusion ignition by igniting fusion fuel after it is assembled, will be described along with its gain curves. Fusion costs of energy for conventional hotspot ignition will be compared with those of Fast Ignition and their capital costs compared with advanced fission plants. Finally, techniques that may improve possible Fast Ignition gains by an order of magnitude and reduce driver scales by an order of magnitude below conventional ignition requirements are described.
Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary infections

Pulmonary infections due to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasingly recognized worldwide. Although over 150 different species of NTM have been described, pulmonary infections are most commonly due to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), Mycobacterium kansasii, and Mycobacterium abscessus. The identification of these organisms in pulmonary specimens does not always equate with active infection; supportive radiographic and clinical findings are needed to establish the diagnosis. It is difficult to eradicate NTM infections. A prolonged course of therapy with a combination of drugs is required. Unfortunately, recurrent infection with new strains of mycobacteria or a relapse of infection caused by the original organism is not uncommon. Surgical resection is appropriate in selected cases of localized disease or in cases in which the infecting organism is resistant to medical therapy. Additionally, surgery may be required for infections complicated by hemoptysis or abscess formation. This review will summarize the practical aspects of the diagnosis and management of NTM thoracic infections, with emphasis on the indications for surgery and the results of surgical intervention. The management of NTM disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections is beyond the scope of this article and, unless otherwise noted, comments apply to hosts without HIV infection
Training without Reward: Traditional Training of Pig-Tailed Macaques as Coconut Harvesters

Macaca nemestrina, the pig-tailed macaque, is the only monkey regularly and extensively used for work. For centuries it has been trained in Southeast Asia to pick coconuts and other fruits. The training is based exclusively on punishment and avoidance of punishment.
The exchange of radioactive magnesium in erythrocytes of several species.

Results are reported from in vivo and in vitro studies on the exchange of Mg/sup 2/ in erythrocytes of rats, dogs, cats, cattle, and man. Data are presented graphically. Results indicate that erythrocytes contain less Mg than other tissues and that Mg is very slowly exchanged. Possible mechanisms involved in Mg exchange are discussed. (C.H.)
Results of polarization observations of the outer corona from a jet aircraft

White-light photographs of the solar corona were taken during the March 1970 eclipse from an Air Force NC-135 jet aircraft at an altitude of 36 380 ft. Four photographs each were made for several exposure times varying from 0.1 to 10.0 s. Three each were made with plane polaroid filters whose orientation was varied at 60° intervals. Stabilization of the camera was approximately 10″ even during the longest exposures. The corona was recorded to distances beyond 12 R⊙.
Potential Vorticity in Hurricane Gloria

Abstract Potential vorticity (PV) analysts for Hurricane Gloria of 1985 are derived from nested objective wind analyses of Omega dropwindsonde and airborne Doppler radar data. The analyses resolve eyewall-scale features in the inner vortex core and embed analyses of these features within the larger-scale environment. Since three-dimensional geopotential height fields required for evaluation of PV are not available in the core, they are derived using the balance equation. In the process of deriving the heights, the degree of gradient balance is evaluated. The 500-mb tangential winds in the core, averaged azimuthally on the four cardinal points, are close to gradient balance outside the radius of maximum wind. The resulting depiction of PV is the first presented for a real hurricane. Due to data deficiencies immediately outside the Doppler region, as well as inside the eye, smoothing of the wind data using a filter with a minimum 25-km spatial scale is required to derive a balanced geopotential height distr...
Molecular structures from femtosecond x-ray pulses

In this issue of PNAS Miao, Hodgson, and Sayre (1) validate a method of three-dimensional structure determination for individual biological macromolecules. Their proposal, based on suggestions by Hajdu and colleagues (2), is supported by careful computer simulation using plausible assumptions, and rests on recent advances in a number of related fields. In brief, they adopt the idea that femtosecond (fsec) x-ray pulses generated by free electron, laser-based x-ray sources will allow the two-dimensional (2D) diffraction patterns (DPs) of individual molecules to be recorded (2). Appropriate registration and averaging of these patterns will allow the full three-dimensional DP of the molecule to be assembled into an effectively continuous function. Previous work by Sayre and colleagues (3, 4) and others (5) has shown that, for objects that are everywhere positive and that are confined to an envelope of known size, the phases of the continuous diffraction pattern can be recovered. Thus, an image of the molecule can be formed by Fourier transformation of the phased diffraction pattern. The quality of the images produced in the simulation is quite high, and generated a burst of pleasure and optimism in this commentator.
Inservice training or professional development: contrasting opportunities in a school/university partnership ☆

Abstract School/university partnerships often expand teachers’ professional development options beyond the traditional inservice model. This research explored the range of professional development opportunities for teachers in four secondary schools affiliated with the same school/university partnership. All teachers at the partner schools were administered surveys, and 24 teachers—six from each site—were selected for in-depth interviews, structured tasks, and informal observation. Using adult workplace learning as a framework, the author examines the types of opportunities teachers find most valuable, identifies conditions needed for meaningful professional development activities, and discusses implications for practice.
A prospective study comparing i.m. ketorolac with i.m. meperidine in the treatment of acute biliary colic

Ketorolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication that is used widely for pain management. Its effects are mediated through the inhibition of prostaglandins, which makes it uniquely different from opioids in relieving pain. We conducted a randomized, prospective, double blind study of patients presenting to our Emergency Department (ED) with a diagnosis of acute biliary colic. Study patients were randomized into one of two treatment groups, meperidine 1.5 mg/kg with a maximum dose of 100 mg or ketorolac 60 mg given intramuscularly (i.m.). The patients rated their pain before and 30 min after medication on a scale of 1 to 10 using a Visual Analog Pain Scale. Overall pain relief was compared between the two groups using a two-sample t test. Thirty patients were enrolled in the study, 16 in the ketorolac group and 14 in the meperidine group. Patients ranged in age from 18 to 71 years and 6 (20%) were male. The average pain score at time 0 was 7.6 for the ketorolac group and 7.3 for the meperidine group. Pain relief at time 30 min was 3.8 in the ketorolac group and 3.9 in the meperidine group, which was not statistically different. The mean global pain score and need for an emergency cholecystectomy were similar in the two groups. Rescue medication for additional analgesia at 30 min was needed in 4 patients in the meperidine group and in 2 patients in the ketorolac group (28.6% versus 12.5%, respectively; NS). In this study of patients with acute biliary colic there was no significant difference in the pain relief achieved by using either ketorolac or meperidine.
Hot-Pressed Materials

The purpose of this paper is to exam-ine some of the advantages and limitations of hot-pressed materials for optical applications. Several examples which illustrate the effect of a polycrystalline microstructure on optical properties are given, and a few devices based on hot-pressed materials are discussed.© (1973) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
behavioral symmetry and reverse asymmetry in the chick and rat

chicks reared in the absence of light and rat pups reared without extra stimulation fail to exhibit behavioral laterality, implying that a threshold amount of environmental stimulation is necessary for the brain to follow an asymmetry pathway. reverse asymmetry has been reported in the chick, but not the rat, though a sex difference resembling reverse asymmetry has been found in the rat.
TURION FORMATION AND GERMINATION IN SPIRODELA POLYRHIZA

Three clones of Spirodela polyrhiza L. (Schleid.) formed dormant bodies called turions. A clone from Puerto Rico did not form turions under all conditions tried. In those clones producing turions, formation was stimulated by the addition of sucrose (10-50 mM) to the nutrient solution. Increased levels of Ca(NO3)2 plus sucrose stimulated turion production. In the absence of N03-, Ca+' was more effective than K+ in stimulating turion formation. Turion buoyancy was not light dependent, nor was it promoted by sucrose. -Normal turions required light for germination, whereas sucrose-induced turions germinated in the dark. Dark germination was not promoted by either Ca++ or K+. Sucrose stimulation of turion formation and subsequent promotion of dark germination was attributed to metabolic rather than osmotic effects. One hundred mM sucrose concentrations inhibited turion buoyancy and germination. Turions formed one primary abscission layer which separated them from the stolon and the mother frond. Subepidermal idioblasts appeared to seal the stolon stump after
Small mammals in young forests: implications for management for sustainability

Abstract Small mammals have been proposed as indicators of sustainability in forests in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. Mammal community composition and species abundances purportedly result from interactions among species, forest-floor characteristics, large coarse woody debris, understory vegetation, and overstory composition. Coarse woody debris is thought to be particularly important because of its diverse ecological functions; covers from 10 to 15% have been recommended based on retrospective studies of forests and small mammals. Unfortunately, ecological correlations are not necessarily indicative of causal relationships and magnitudes depend on composition of finite, usually non-random, cross-sectional samples. Retrospective studies must be replicated to confirm relationships. We conducted a large-scale, cross-sectional survey of 30- to 70-year-old coniferous forests in western Washington to determine if previously reported relationships would hold with an unrelated, larger sample. Coarse woody debris cover was 8.3±0.6% ( x ± S.E. , n=8 blocks of forest, range 4–13%). Understory cover was too low (18±8% for shrubs) to allow examining interactions between understory and coarse woody debris. Overstory composition covaried with coarse woody debris. One or two of four statistically extracted habitat factors (overstory composition, herbaceous cover, abundance of Acer circinatum, and abundance of Acer macrophyllum) accounted for 18–70% of variance in abundance of 11 mammal species. Our results support hypotheses that: (1) biocomplexity resulting from interactions of decadence, understory development, and overstory composition provides pre-interactive niche diversification with predictable, diverse, small-mammal communities; (2) these communities incorporate numerous species and multiple trophic pathways, and thus, their integrity measures resiliency and sustainability.
Formation and manipulation of protopolymer chains.

We define “protopolymer” to mean that the monomer units of a polymer are together and aligned, but are not yet reacted to their final form, the polymer. We have created, observed, and manipulated this new chemical state in linear chains of phenylene on Cu{111} at low temperature. We demonstrate that protopolyphenylene forms by manipulating individual monomer units out of the chains using a scanning tunneling microscope. Both the bare and the phenylene-covered Cu{111} surface can serve as an extended catalytic active site to bring together and to align the monomer phenylene units formed from the dissociative chemisorption of p-diiodobenzene. When short segments of protopolymer chains are moved on the phenylene-covered surface, the intermolecular interactions are sufficiently strong to realign the chains in new locations. The alignment due to these interactions may be used in the controlled growth and assembly, as well as for the simplified manipulation of complex, hierarchical structures.