cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Itinerant Curriculum Theory Revisited on a non-Theoricide Towards the Canonicide: Addressing the 'Curriculum Involution'

This paper, as the title suggests, attempts to revisit what has been known and debated as Itinerant Curriculum Theory (ICT), a theoretical path I shared and discussed in several annual meetings of our field both nationally and internationally, and in works such as Conflicts in Curriculum Theory in 2011, and its revised paperback edition in 2014; Curriculum Epistemicides , 2016; and Curriculum: Whose Internationalization , 2016. In so doing, I will also address some of issues examined by the contributors of this volume, among other issues, the nexus of ICT, teacher education, and life within classrooms, curriculum epistemicide, the battles between and within dominant and counter-dominant movements, Modern Western Eurocentric thinking as abyssal thinking, and the ecology of knowledges. Through this, I will reiterate ICT’s major arguments and why it constitutes the better approach to address current problems. I will also argue how ICT is also a response to what I called curriculum involution. Joao M. Paraskeva was born in Maputo, Mozambique where he completed his elementary and secondary education. He was an honorary fellow (2000 – 2004) at the University of Wisconsin Madison, a Professor at the University of Minho, as well as visiting Professor at the University of Coruna, Spain, University of Florence, Italy, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, Federal University of Pelotas, Brasil, and University Agostinho Neto, Angola. He was the chair of the “Marxian Analysis of Society, Schools and Education”, and his the Vice President of the American Association for the Advancement of Curriculum Studies (2016 – 2018). He his currently Full Professor at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, founder and Chair of the Department of Educational leadership, Program Director of the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (2010 – 2016). He is a very prolific scholar with countless articles, book reviews, keynote addresses and papers presented both nationally and internationally. He is the founder (2010) and senior editor of the “Revista Curriculo Sem Fronteiras” ( www.curriculosemfronteiras.org ). In his latest volumes “Conflicts in Curriculum Theory. Challenging Hegemonic Epistemicides” (New York: Palgrave), Globalisms and Power: Iberian Educational and Curriculum Policies” (New York: Peter Lang); “Curriculum; Decanonizing the Field. New York: Peter Lang; “Curriculum: Whose Internationalziation?”; New York: Routledge, Professor Paraskeva, influenced by decolonial and southern intellectuals, open up the veins and the canon of the Western Eurocentric power matrix to denounce how education and curriculum are part of the Western Eurocentric epistemicide. His volume “Curriculum Epistemologies”. New York: Routledge won the 2017 AERA Divison B outstanding book award.
Leadership and Resource Allocation in Schools: Applying Micropolitical Perspectives

Resource allocation represents a compelling leadership quandary for school principals across the United States. Reduced school funding necessitates actively rethinking existing resource allocation decisions within schools. This rethinking often produces micropolitical challenges with school staff. Drawing upon qualitative data, this chapter invites readers to consider the micropolitical challenges found in three common resource allocation quandaries that principals often address in their leadership. These quandaries include the reassignment of classroom teachers to better support student learning, the reallocation of school-based resources to support new school improvement priorities, and the challenges associated with preparing staff for an impending reduction in school resources. The chapter concludes by providing reflective questions aimed at supporting the reader’s professional growth and furthering the development of their leadership platform.
Flight duration and flight muscle ultrastructure of unfed hawk moths

Abstract Flight muscle breakdown has been reported for many orders of insects, but the basis of this breakdown in insects with lifelong dependence on flight is less clear. Lepidopterans show such muscle changes across their lifespans, yet how this change affects the ability of these insects to complete their life cycles is not well documented. We investigated the changes in muscle function and ultrastructure of unfed aging adult hawk moths (Manduca sexta). Flight duration was examined in young, middle-aged, and advanced-aged unfed moths. After measurement of flight duration, the main flight muscle (dorsolongitudinal muscle) was collected and histologically prepared for transmission electron microscopy to compare several measurements of muscle ultrastructure among moths of different ages. Muscle function assays revealed significant positive correlations between muscle ultrastructure and flight distance that were greatest in middle-aged moths and least in young moths. In addition, changes in flight muscle ultrastructure were detected across treatment groups. The number of mitochondria in muscle cells peaked in middle-aged moths. Many wild M. sexta do not feed as adults; thus, understanding the changes in flight capacity and muscle ultrastructure in unfed moths provides a more complete understanding of the ecophysiology and resource allocation strategies of this species.
Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: The Changing Role of Government

Over the past century, governments throughout the world have grown in size, in the amount they spend and in power. But people have come to expect too much from their governments – the governments that they enlarged, sustained and empowered with their votes and their taxes.
Logic-Based Measures

Logic-based compatibility measures [97, 98] use the interpretation the membership function of a fuzzy set as indicating a degree of truth of a proposition represented by the fuzzy set (see Section 4.4). We will consider two methods for generating compatibility measures from a logical interpretation of membership. The first approach, which has been employed as a basis for inference in fuzzy rule-based expert systems, uses fuzzy truth values to represent the degree of compatibility between two fuzzy sets. The second approach defines an elementwise degree of equality between membership functions of two fuzzy sets.
Corporate Strategy at Berkshire Partners

The managing directors of Berkshire Partners, a mid-sized private equity firm, address strategic and organizational challenges in response to turbulent market conditions, rapid firm growth, and the transition of leadership from its founding partners to the next generations. To address some of these dynamics, and to protect Berkshire's corporate advantage, the managing directors established three executive oversight committees, developed new specialized corporate functions, and incubated an internal hedge fund group. Students are given the opportunity to assess Berkshire's recent changes in corporate strategy and organizational design and to formulate recommendations going forward.
Dissection of Fragmentation Pathways in Protonated N-Acetylhexosamines

Structural characterization of carbohydrates by mass spectrometry necessitates a detailed understanding of their gas phase behavior, particularly for protonated carbohydrates that can undergo complex structural rearrangements during fragmentation. Here we utilize tandem mass spectrometry, isotopic labeling, gas-phase hydrogen/deuterium exchange, and ion mobility measurements to characterize structures of the various product ions of protonated N-acetylhexosamines. Following the facile loss of the reducing end hydroxyl group, we identify two primary fragmentation pathways. Detailed mapping of each step in the fragmentation pathway provides new insight into the mechanisms that drive collision-induced dissociation of protonated carbohydrates. Several of the smaller fragment ions are mixtures of structural isomers, and the relative distributions of these structures reveals information about the stereochemistry of the precursor molecule.
Bridging the Mobile-Electrification Gap: The Potential for Privately Subsidized Phone Charging in Rural Africa

There is a profound misalignment between the state of network coverage and phone ownership and the state of electrification across sub-Saharan Africa. While about 83% of the sub-Saharan population is covered by a mobile network and nearly 70% has a mobile subscription, only 33% can access electricity [1]-[3]. This problem is particularly acute in rural areas, where network access and penetration lag slightly but electrification is far lower [4]. We term this condition the mobile-electrification gap (MEG.) Faced by the MEG, rural sub-Saharans options for phone charging are few and undesirable. As mobile growth has outstripped electrification on the continent, sub-Saharans have turned to limited off-grid solutions or to resold electricity from "phone shops" to fill the void; some have even taken to shipping their phones to get them charged [5].
Parylene neural probe with embedded CMOS multiplexing amplifier

We present a method for embedding integrated circuit chips in parylene neural probes where Anisotropic Conductive Film (ACF) electrically and physically connects the chip to the probe. Adequate insulation of the assembly is verified up to 150 h in vitro (testing ongoing). A custom-designed 8-to-1 multiplexing amplifier for neural application was fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS process. As a feasibility demonstration, the $830 \mu \mathrm {m}\times 1030 \mu \mathrm {m}$ die was connected to a parylene probe on a glass substrate. Preliminary results of the amplifier tests indicate similar performance in air and in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and demonstrate around 200 V/V amplification of signals in saline.
Nachfrager von Versicherungsleistungen

Das Verhalten von Versicherungskunden hat sich im Verhaltnis zum Konsumverhalten vieler anderer Wirtschaftszweige in den letzten Jahren nur sehr langsam verandert und das, obwohl der Informationsstand der Kunden, vor allem infolge der Internets, von den Umfrageteilnehmern als substanziell hoher eingeschatzt wird. Das Desinteresse der Kunden ausert sich zum Beispiel in einer niedrigeren Wechselquote in ihren Versicherungsbeziehungen und in der niedrigen Preisempfindlichkeit. Das zukunftige Kundenverhalten in der Versicherungswirtschaft wird sich zukunftig stark verandern.
Career Development of People with Disabilities: Self-Determination as a Skill Set or a Mind-Set?.

Self-determination in career development of people with disabilities has been a widely studied topic among researchers. However, previous research shows that this concept has been narrowly defined ...
Effect of aerobic exercise on cognition in younger adults: a randomized clinical trial

Objective To determine efficacy of aerobic exercise for cognitive function in younger healthy adults. Methods In a randomized, parallel-group, observer-masked, community-based clinical trial, 132 cognitively normal individuals aged 20–67 with below median aerobic capacity were randomly assigned to one of two 6-month, 4-times-weekly conditions: aerobic exercise and stretching/toning. Efficacy measures included aerobic capacity; cognitive function in several domains (executive function, episodic memory, processing speed, language, and attention), everyday function, body mass index (BMI), and cortical thickness. Results Aerobic capacity increased significantly (β = 2.718; p = 0.003), and BMI decreased significantly (β = −0.596; p = 0.013) in the aerobic exercise but not in the stretching/toning condition. Executive function improved significantly in the aerobic exercise condition; this effect was moderated by age (β = 0.018 SD/y; p = 0.028). At age 40, the executive function measure increased by 0.228 SD (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.007–0.448), and by 0.596 SD (95% CI 0.219–0.973) at age 60. Cortical thickness increased significantly in the aerobic exercise group in a left frontal region and did not interact with age. Controlling for age and baseline performance, individuals with at least one APOE e4 allele showed less improvement in executive function with aerobic exercise (β = 0.5129, 95% CI 0.0381–0.988; p = 0.0346). Conclusions This randomized clinical trial demonstrates the efficacy of aerobic exercise for cognition in adults age 20–67. The effect of aerobic exercise on executive function was more pronounced as age increased, suggesting that it may mitigate age-related declines. Increased cortical thickness suggests that aerobic exercise contributes to brain health in individuals as young as age 20. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01179958. Classification of evidence This study provides Class II evidence that for adults age 20–67 with below median aerobic capacity, aerobic exercise significantly improves executive function but not other measures of cognitive function.
Axial force-biaxial moment-vector shear (P-M-V) interaction for steel-plate composite (SC) wall piers

Abstract Structural walls in industrial construction may be subjected to a combination of axial, in-plane, and out-of-plane force and moment demands. Experimental studies conducted on SC wall piers (i.e., walls without any boundary elements) subjected to combined in-plane and out-of-plane forces and moments indicate that wall piers with aspect (wall height-to-length) ratios greater than or equal to 0.6 have flexure dominated response. Experimental results indicate that wall piers subjected to out-of-plane shear force equal to their nominal shear strength (per US codes) develop flexural yielding and failure due to biaxial moments, i.e., interaction between the in-plane moment and out-of-plane moment. Shear failure (in-plane or out-of-plane) does not occur in these walls. The wall pier specimen subjected to out-of-plane shear force that was 250% of the nominal shear strength (calculated using US codes) was forced into a shear failure mode by the vector shear corresponding to the vector sum of in-plane shear and out-of-plane shear. This paper presents the development of a numerical model to consider the complex interaction of axial, in-plane, and out-of-plane forces and moments. For walls having flexure dominated response, a trilinear interaction surface is recommended for biaxial (in-plane and out-of-plane) moments. This interaction surface is a function of the applied axial compression force. For SC wall piers with aspect ratios lower than 0.6, or those subjected to out-of-plane shear forces larger than the calculated nominal strength, the behavior will not be flexure dominated, and the effects of vector shear force on the biaxial moment interaction also need to be considered. For such cases, an axial force-biaxial moment interaction surface that can account for vector shear failure (P-M-V) is recommended. The numerical models and accompanying interaction surfaces presented in this paper enable the consideration of simultaneous axial, in-plane, and out-of-plane forces and moments in the design of structural wall piers (without boundary elements).
Protein Environment and DNA Orientation Affect Protein-Induced Cy3 Fluorescence Enhancement

The cyanine dye Cy3 is a popular fluorophore used to probe the binding of proteins to nucleic acids as well as their conformational transitions. Nucleic acids labeled only with Cy3 can often be used to monitor interactions with unlabeled proteins because of an enhancement of Cy3 fluorescence intensity that results when the protein contacts Cy3, a property sometimes referred to as protein-induced fluorescence enhancement (PIFE). Although Cy3 fluorescence is enhanced upon contacting most proteins, we show here in studies of human replication protein A and Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA binding protein that the magnitude of the Cy3 enhancement is dependent on both the protein as well as the orientation of the protein with respect to the Cy3 label on the DNA. This difference in PIFE is due entirely to differences in the final protein-DNA complex. We also show that the origin of PIFE is the longer fluorescence lifetime induced by the local protein environment. These results indicate that PIFE is not a through space distance-dependent phenomenon but requires a direct interaction of Cy3 with the protein, and the magnitude of the effect is influenced by the region of the protein contacting Cy3. Hence, use of the Cy3 PIFE effect for quantitative studies may require careful calibration.
Who's an iAddict? A Sociodemographic Exploration of Device Addiction Among American Adults

Objective In this study, we explore how daily Internet and social media use are related to feeling addicted to technological devices and describe the sociodemographic indicators of device addiction for U.S. adults. Methods Using a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, we estimate a series of logistic regression analyses predicting device addiction. Results We find that social media use, rather than Internet use alone, is a stronger indicator of device addiction. Women report more addiction than men, and employment and education are both associated with increased addiction. Results describe device addiction as a felt reality for U.S. adults of all ages, while also noting particular social and demographic class characteristics for which these dilemmas may be more acute. Conclusion “iAddiction” appears to be endemic to general conditions of postscarcity and concentrated in those with particularly high situations of ontological security. Directions for constructive theory building in the sociology of technology are elaborated.
Design of slowwave broadband gyro-TWT with a bifilar helix circuit

By analyzing the Maxwell-Vlasov equations, a beam-wave dispersion relation has been derived for a gyro-TWT incorporating a bifilar helix slow-wave circuit. The linear gain has been examined in the slow-wave region to characterize anticipated performance. Results will be compared with that of the gyro-TWT with dielectric clad waveguide circuit.
Femoral Fracture in Primary Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treated with Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy with and Without Dose Constraints

We previously reported that the cumulative risk of femoral fracture in patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for thigh and groin soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is low. In the current study, we sought to evaluate the effect of radiation dose constraints on the rate of femoral fracture in a more contemporary cohort. All patients treated with IMRT for STS of the thigh or groin from 2004 to 2016 were included (n = 145). Beginning in 2011, radiation dose was constrained to a mean dose of < 37 Gy, volume of bone receiving ≥ 40 Gy (V40Gy) < 64%, and maximum dose < 59 Gy to limit the dose to the femur. Sixty-one patients were treated before dose constraints were implemented, and 84 patients were treated after. Median follow-up for patients treated before and after constraints were implemented was 6.1 and 5.7 years, respectively, and the two groups were demographically and clinically similar. On univariate analysis, the 5-year cumulative incidence of femoral fracture among patients treated with and without dose constraints was 1.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3–12.2%) versus 7.4% (95% CI 3.1–17.6%) [p = 0.11, p = non-significant, respectively]. On multivariable analysis, only age ≥ 60 years was significantly associated with increased risk of fracture. The risk of femoral fracture after IMRT for STS of the thigh/groin is low, and with the implementation of radiation dose constraints, the risk is < 2%. Although longer follow-up is needed, our results support the utilization of extremity sarcoma IMRT-specific dose constraints for fracture prevention.
The roles of photorespiration and alternative electron acceptors in the responses of photosynthesis to elevated temperatures in cowpea

We explored the effects, on photosynthesis in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seedlings, of high temperature and light-environmental stresses that often co-occur under field conditions and can have greater impact on photosynthesis than either by itself. We observed contrasting responses in the light and carbon assimilatory reactions, whereby in high temperature, the light reactions were stimulated while CO2 assimilation was substantially reduced. There were two striking observations. Firstly, the primary quinone acceptor (QA ), a measure of the regulatory balance of the light reactions, became more oxidized with increasing temperature, suggesting increased electron sink capacity, despite the reduced CO2 fixation. Secondly, a strong, O2 -dependent inactivation of assimilation capacity, consistent with down-regulation of rubisco under these conditions. The dependence of these effects on CO2 , O2 and light led us to conclude that both photorespiration and an alternative electron acceptor supported increased electron flow, and thus provided photoprotection under these conditions. Further experiments showed that the increased electron flow was maintained by rapid rates of PSII repair, particularly at combined high light and temperature. Overall, the results suggest that photodamage to the light reactions can be avoided under high light and temperatures by increasing electron sink strength, even when assimilation is strongly suppressed.
Basal Ganglia Calcification Is Associated With Local and Systemic Metabolic Mechanisms in Adult Hypoparathyroidism

CONTEXT Hypoparathyroidism is characterized by low serum calcium, increased serum phosphorus, and inappropriately low or decreased serum parathyroid hormone, which may be associated with soft tissue calcification in the basal ganglia of the brain. OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence and factors involved in the pathophysiology of basal ganglia calcification (BGC) in the brain in chronic hypoparathyroidism and to evaluate proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms. DESIGN Case-control study with retrospective review of medical records over 20 years. SETTING Single academic medical center. PATIENTS 142 patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism and computed tomography (CT) head scans followed between January 1, 2000 and July 9, 2020, and 426 age- and sex-matched controls with CT head scans over the same interval. INTERVENTIONS None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Demographic, biochemical, and CT head imaging findings, with semiquantitative assessment of volumetric BGC. RESULTS The study found that 25.4% of 142 patients followed for a median of 17 years after diagnosis of chronic hypoparathyroidism had BGC, which developed at a younger age than in controls. BGC was 5.1-fold more common in nonsurgical patients and less common in postsurgical patients. Low serum calcium and low calcium/phosphate ratio correlated with BGC. Neither serum phosphorus nor calcium × phosphate product predicted BGC. Lower serum calcium was associated with greater volume of BGC. The extent of BGC varied widely, with nonsurgical patients generally having a greater volume and distribution of calcification. CONCLUSIONS BGC is associated with low serum calcium and low serum calcium/phosphate ratio, which may be related to severity of the disease, its etiology, or duration of treatment.
National identity in African states

A central concern of leaders in new states is to establish and maintain a modicum of national identity. For they realize that if their states are to prosper, if national goals are to be pursued, there must exist a minimal degree of national cohesion and identity among their politically relevant members.
CAPSULAR POLYSACCHARIDE OF AZOTOBACTER AGILIS

Cohen, Gary H. (University of Vermont, Burlington), and Donald B. Johnstone. Capsular polysaccharide of Azotobacter agilis . J. Bacteriol. 88: 1695–1699. 1964.—Capsular polysaccharide from Azotobacter agilis strain 132 was recovered from washed cells by alkaline digestion. The polysaccharide was purified by centrifugation, repeated alcohol precipitation, Sevag deproteinization, and treatment with ribonuclease and charcoal-cellulose. Methods of isolation and purification appeared to provide a polymer showing no evidence of heterogeneity when examined by chemical and physical methods. Colorimetric, paper chromatographic, and enzymatic analyses on both intact and acid-hydrolyzed polysaccharide indicated that the polymer contained galactose and rhamnose at a molar ratio of approximately 1.0:0.7. A sialic acid-like component was also present in the polysaccharide. The study shows significant differences in the chemical composition of the extra-cellular polysaccharide of A. agilis and that of A. vinelandii . This adds further biochemical evidence for the right of these species to independent status. Images
Efficient Resource Discovery in Wireless AdHoc Networks: Contacts Do Help

In this chapter, we provided an overview of the main approaches for resource discovery in wireless networks. The problem of resource discovery is becoming more challenging and pressing as more emerging infrastructure-less networks are designed and implemented. The various approaches described in this chapter included flooding-based approaches, including expanding ring search and reduced broadcast heuristics, on-demand ad hoc routing, hierarchical cluster-based and dominating set schemes, and hybrid loose hierarchy schemes including zone routing and contact based architectures. Reduced broadcast approaches and dominating set approaches attempt to reduce the redundancies of flooding but attempt to all discovery requests to all nodes in the network. On-demand ad hoc routing utilizes information caching to reduce effects of flooding, but is greatly affected by network dynamics that cause cache invalidation. Hybrid approaches, such as zone and contact-based routing use the proactive approach within the zones, and the reactive approach for out-of-zone discovery. Zone routing uses bordercasting, while contact-based schemes select out-of-zone contact nodes to avoid bordercasting. After conducting an extensive comparative study between the above schemes, it was observed that hybrid approaches are useful when the cost of zone maintenance is amortized over a reasonable number of requests, otherwise flooding-based approaches work better. In general, if power control is used such that only active nodes participate in zone construction and maintenance, then hybrid approaches seem to scale best. In particular the contact based approach is promising as it performs well for a fixed set of parameters over a relatively wide array of scenarios and network sizes.
Antiviral Actions of Interferons in Animals

Interferon production is usually a constant companion to virus replication during the course of virus infections (Stewart II and Sulkin, 1966; Luby, Sanders, and Sulkin, 1971; Luby et al., 1969; Vilcek, 1969; Vilcek and Stancek, 1963a; Link et al., 1965), as opposed to the rapid rise and fall of interferon levels seen following large doses of intravenously injected virus, and the influence of interferon during virus infections is thus exerted at each stage of pathogenesis.
Drifter Motion Planning for Optimal Surveillance of the Ocean (DRIMPOS)

Abstract : In recent years substantial progress, much of it resulting directly from ONR funding initiatives, has been made in understanding fundamental features of transport and mixing in oceans using methods derived from dynamical systems theory. The purpose of the current collaborative research is to extend these methods to the design of control algorithms for Drifter Motion Planning for Optimal Surveillance of the Ocean (DRIMPOS). This effort is a direct attempt to transition Lagrangian based dynamical systems methods from diagnostic, postdictive tools to essential and active components in the design of oceanographic and naval observing systems. The specific goals of the research project include the development of flow-based control algorithms for drifting autonomous sensing systems.
The Coupling of Diazonium Salts with Aliphatic Carbon Atoms

A diazonium salt will couple with an aliphatic compound containing an activated carbon-hydrogen bond. This discussion is limited to those reactions in which both the nitrogen atoms of the diazonium salts are retained in the resulting molecule. The discussion is further limited by the exclusion of coupling reactions, which occur with the elimination of a group from an activated methinyl compound, the Japp-Klingemann reaction. These reactions are discussed in Chapter 2. Much of the early work with coupling was prompted by the desire to determine whether the products were of the azo or hydrazonestructure. It is difficult to establish the structures in such cases where the tautomeric forms are possible. It is generally considered that the hydrazone is the stable form. Keywords: coupling; diazonium salts; aliphatic carbon atoms; ketones; esters; amides; malonic acids; arylacetic acids; nitriles; sulfones; nitro compounds; hydrocarbons; hydraoznes; heterocyclic compounds
Feasibility of using a large amplitude movement therapy to improve ambulatory function in children with cerebral palsy.

AbstractCerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of motor disability among children. Limited evidence exists regarding the efficacy of traditional rehabilitation strategies on improving ambulatory function in this population. The purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility and short-term effects of a novel large amplitude movement therapy on ambulatory functions in children with CP. Temporal-spatial gait characteristics were examined before and after a single intervention session, replicated over five children. Five children with CP (7.0 ± 1.0 years); Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I–II, participated. Baseline gait parameters were obtained as the participant walked across an instrumented walkway at self-selected and fast speeds. Children then participated in a 20–30 min intervention focused on making body and limb movements as large as possible with gait assessment repeated immediately. All children tolerated testing and therapy with no adverse effects. Outcomes after on...
Can optimal defence theory be used to predict the distribution of plant chemical defences

Summary 1. The optimal defence theory (ODT) of chemical defence provides a predictive framework for the distribution of anti-herbivore defences in plants. One of its predictions is that chemical defences will be allocated within a plant as a function of tissue value, where value is correlated with the cost of having that tissue removed. While many studies have examined intra-plant variation in defence chemistry, these results have rarely been compiled quantitatively to assess whether defence allocation is consistent with the prediction of ODT that more valuable tissues should be more defended than less valuable tissues. 2. We performed a formal meta-analysis of published and unpublished studies to examine the predictive utility of ODT. Specifically, we examined whether defence chemicals occur at higher concentrations in flowers versus leaves and in younger leaves compared to older leaves, under the assumption that younger leaves are more valuable than older leaves. We also examined whether the expansion status of younger leaves, nodal position of the leaves, growing conditions and chemical class of defence compounds affected the mean effect sizes. 3. We found that tissues with higher assumed value had significantly higher concentrations of defence chemicals than tissues with lower value. In particular, we found that younger leaves had higher concentrations of defence chemicals than older leaves, consistent with the predictions of ODT. The magnitude of this difference was higher in the younger leaf/older leaf comparison than in the flower/leaf comparison, with no evidence that flowers were more defended than leaves. The overall results were not affected by chemical class, young leaf expansion status, growing conditions or leaf position on the plant. 4. Synthesis. We found general agreement between the predictions of ODT and the intraplant distribution of chemical defence and conclude it is a useful model. The effect size varied depending on the tissue compared. Explicit measures of tissue value, in particular as it relates to relative fitness, are required to further validate the predictive utility and general applicability of ODT.
An Agent-Based Global Economy

Many people are buying music CDs over the Web, but with multiple retail sites offering the same CDs, how do you decide which retailer to buy from? Typically, you visit a few sites and choose the one with the lowest price. Shopbotsshopping agents that automatically search the Internet to obtain information about prices and other attributes of goods and servicesare ideal helpers for such a task.1 The better ones can visit hundreds of sites, giving price-conscious consumers a powerful tool that could work to the detriment of some retailers.
Blood alcohol in automobile drivers: measurement and interpretation for medicolegal purposes. I. Effect of time interval between incident and sample acquisition.

The blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) were estimated by Breathalyzer at various intervals after drinking in 18 drivers, who estimated the time of their last drink; in 16 subjects who drank various alcoholic beverages; and in 11 subjects who drank various alcoholic beverages and then drove a car through an obstacle course. The ranges of Breathalyzer readings for the 3 groups were 0.08-0.20%, 0.06-0.13%, and 0.09-0.20%. Analysis of all the readings and comparison with expected values (calculated by using the known metabolic rate of alcohol) indicated that, when BACs of 0.06 to 0.20% have been reached by the time the test is made, and if the Breathalyzer reading is determined within 2 hr following a driving incident, the BAC is not practically different from what it was at the time of the incident because the rate of change during a 2-hr interval is less than the analytical error of the test procedure. The medicolegal implications are discussed.
Evidence That Synaptically Released β-Amyloid Accumulates as Extracellular Deposits in the Hippocampus of Transgenic Mice

A neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer9s disease is the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in senile plaques in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Aβ is derived from larger integral membrane proteins termed amyloid precursor proteins (APP). We demonstrated previously that APP, synthesized by neurons in the entorhinal cortex, is transported via the perforant pathway to presynaptic terminals in the dentate gyrus. We reported that, although full-length APP and membrane-tethered, C-terminal APP derivatives (APP-CTFs) accumulate at terminal fields, the production of Aβ peptides at these sites was indeterminate. To test the hypothesis that APP-CTFs, generated from axonally transported APP, are further metabolized to Aβ peptides that are subsequently released and deposited proximal to nerve terminals, we created unilateral knife lesions of the perforant pathway of transgenic mice that exhibit hippocampal amyloid deposits. We observed pronounced reductions in amyloid burden in the ipsilateral dentate gyrus, findings that lead us to conclude that axonally transported APP gives rise to Aβ peptides that are released from presynaptic sites in the dentate gyrus and deposited in extracellular plaques. Moreover, our findings are consistent with the view that Aβ deposits are dynamic structures and that the perforant path lesion alters the equilibrium between Aβ production–deposition toward clearance as a consequence of blocked axonal transport of APP from the entorhinal cortex to terminal fields in the hippocampus.
Overcoming Resistance to Organizational Change

Abstract Resistance to assertive organization change is inevitable because people are asked to reexamine and modify their behavior, which breeds resistance. Resistance serves to maintain equilibrium until the reasons for change are both conscious and compelling. Instead of accepting people's feelings as excuses, persistently push for what you know needs to happen in the face of today's harsh realities. Provide clarity, time, support, and the stability of a persistent message. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997;97(suppl 2):S145–S147.
Ff gene 5 protein has a high binding affinity for single-stranded phosphorothioate DNA.

The gene 5 protein (g5p) of Ff bacteriophages is a well-studied model ssDNA-binding protein that binds cooperatively to the Ff ssDNA genome and single-stranded polynucleotides. Its affinity, Kω (th...
Designing for problem-based learning in a collaborative STEM lab: A case study

Higher education institutions are using virtual telepresence systems to engage in collaborative course redesign and research projects. These systems hold promise and challenge for inter-institutional work in STEM areas. This paper describes a case study involving two universities in the 4-VA consortium, and the redesign of a shared STEM lab. The purpose of this study was to investigate pedagogical needs across related content areas, and to use findings to make informed lab design recommendations that support beliefs and best practices involving knowledge acquisition. The researchers used several data collection points involving human subjects, site visits and technology testing and evaluation. Results emphasize the need for remote presence in the student-centered and distributed space. Design recommendations are organized into the following categories: general lab space, projection and display, storage, cable management and outlets, videoconferencing, use and management of the lab, computing and mobile devices, software, and training. Further research is proposed.
Boundary conditions, vacuum quantum numbers and the index theorem

Abstract We present a version of the index theorem on a two-dimensional manifold with boundary, using local, rather than spectral, boundary conditions on the fermion fields. The index is defined through an appropriate regularization procedure and can take noninteger values. It is shown that local boundary conditions do not introduce spurious boundary contributions to vacuum quantities like the charge and angular momentum, in contrast with spectral conditions, and give results compatible with an open infinite space. We also examine the vacuum quantum numbers induced by an infinitely thin magnetic flux tube piercing a two-dimensional space, and in the case of a sphere containing a monopole, and clarify some issues concerning the observability of the Dirac string and the proper definition of the angular momentum.
SU‐E‐T‐77: Methods for Surface Dose Determination in Composite IMRT Patient Treatments

Purpose: Determination of skindose is important for radiation treatment of tumors that are near the skin or where external devices may enhance the skindose. Because of the steep dose gradient in the build‐up region near the skin, accurate measurements or calculations in this region are difficult. This study aims to optimize the methodology of determination of skindose for the composite multibeam 3DCRT or IMRT treatments using optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLD), diode, or planning system calculations. Methods: OSLD's were placed at three locations of interest marked on an anthropomophic pelvic phantom which was CT scanned. Eight‐beam 3DCRT and IMRT plans were created using Eclipse V10(AAA‐1mm dose grid) with identical beam arrangements. Eclipse wascommissioned with accurate surfacedose data. The phantom was irradiated with each plan using a Varian 2100C 6 MV x‐ray source with either OSLDs or Scanditronix surface diodes at each marked location. The depth of the sensitive element beneath the surface of each detector was determined by measurment to be 1 mm and 0.7 mm for OSLD and diode, respectively. Results: OSLD and diode measurements were compared to Eclipse calculations at respective locations. The percent difference of the OSLD doses compared to the Eclipse calculation was 1.2%+/−5.8% and 4.7%+/−4.0% for the 3DCRT and IMRT plan, respectively. The percent difference ofthe diode doses compared to the Eclipse calculation was 1.2% +/−7.0% and 1.3%+/−10.8% for the 3DCRT and IMRT plan, respectively. The isodose line through the detectors was found to be at the same depth under the adjacent skin, within 0.3 mm. Conclusions: We have found good skindose agreement between measurement and calculation at either 1 mm (OSL) or 0.7 mm (diode) depth in a composite 3DCRT or IMRT treatment. This work also validates OSLDs as accurate detectors for near‐skin dose measurements.
The application of power transistors to the operation of gas-discharge lamps from d.c. supplies

The operation of fluorescent tubes on high-frequency (up to 20kc/s) supplies is considered. The characteristics of sine-wave and square-wave transistor inverters are discussed, and a preference is expressed for sine-wave supplies for lamp operation. Design details and component characteristics for sine-wave lamp inverters are considered and various types of circuit are mentioned.
Workshop summary: assessing exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace.

Abstract Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a term now widely used to refer to the mixture of sidestream smoke and exhaled mainstream smoke that pollutes air in locations where tobacco smoking is taking place. A multidisciplinary workshop was convened to address key issues related to ETS exposure in the workplace in order to prepare the groundwork for a risk assessment of the hazard ETS poses to workers. Workshop participants concluded that substantial evidence was now available on worker exposure to ETS using both direct and indirect approaches to exposure assessment and that these data could be used to project distribution of exposures to ETS in the nation's workplaces. This summary of the discussions at the workshop is an overview of the suggested approach to exposure assessment.
A two-level four-color sor method

A 2-level 4-color SOR method is proposed for the 9-point discretization of the Poisson equation on a square. Instead of examining the Jacobi iteration matrix in the space domain, we consider an equivalent but much simpler 4-color iteration matrix in the frequency domain. A 2-level SOR method is introduced to increase the convergence rate for the frequency-domain iteration matrix. At a first level, the red and orange points, and then the black and green points are treated as groups, and a block SOR iteration is performed on these two groups. At a second level, another SOR iteration is used to decouple values at the red and orange points, and then at the black and green points. The conventional red/black SOR iteration for a 5-point stencil is shown to be a degenerate case of the general 2-level 4-color SOR method. For the case of the 9-point stencil, a closed-form expression for the optimal relaxation parameters o)b and op; at the two iteration levels is given, and the efficiency of the resulting method is shown both analytically and numerically.
Drought Survival Test of Eight Fen Moss Species

Abstract Eight fen moss species (Aulacomnium palustre, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Calliergonella cuspidata, Campylium stellatum, Climacium dendroides, Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Plagiomnium elatum and Tomentypnum nitens) were studied in order to assess their ability to survive long-term drought. The mosses differed significantly in their desiccation resistance. The highest survival rate was shown in the hummock moss species Climacium dendroides, Aulacomnium palustre and Tomentypnum nitens, with more than 10% of stems surviving after 20 weeks of desiccation. On the other hand, in Campylium stellatum and Plagiomnium elatum, almost no stem survived after 6 weeks without water supply. The remaining mosses (Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Calliergonella cuspidata and Bryum pseudotriquetrum) showed medium desiccation resistance, which differed little among species. After 12 weeks of desiccation, less than 10% of their stems were able to restore their growth. In general, most species displayed remarkable desiccation resista...
Electron microscopical studies on the plasma membranes of cerebellar neurons and astrocytes

Adult C3H and C57 mouse cerebella were fixed in buffered OsO4. Neuronal plasma membranes were thicker and denser than astrocytic plasma membranes. The trilaminate structure of plasma membranes of both cell types was seen to be asymmetric in contrast to the symmetrical membranes of neuronal organelles. The intercellular space between closely apposed cerebellar neuronal and astrocytic processes averaged 34 A. When CaCl2 was omitted from the fixative, all astrocytic processes showed numerous interruptons or discontinuities in their plasma membranes; neuronal plasma membranes and other membrane systems remained essentially intact.
Probing the structure of human tissue factor by site-directed mutagenesis of tryptophan residues and in-vivo incorporation of tryptophan analogs

Complexation of the extracellular domain of tissue factor to the serine protease factor VIIa is a critical step in the process of blood coagulation following tissue damage. To study the structure and function of the extracellular domain of tissue factor (soluble tissue factor, sTF), we have used site-directed mutagenesis to replace each of sTF's four tryptophans (Trp) with phenylalanine (Phe) or tyrosine (Tyr). Replacement of any one of the four Trps reduced the protein stability against denaturation by guanidinium chloride in a similar manner, indicating that each residue has important structural interactions within the protein. Replacement of Trps 25, 45, and 158 resulted in reduced cofactor activities, indicating that these residues are located in regions important for biological activity. The activities of mutants with Trp 14 or both Trps 14 and 158 replaced were comparable to sTF. From the combination of absorbance and fluorescence spectra of the individual Trps, information is obtained showing that all the Trps are buried in the protein matrix, and Trps 14 and 25 are in highly constrained environments compared to Trps 45 and 158. To directly monitor interactions of sTF with factor VIIa and its substrate factor X, we have undertaken a program to generate spectrally enhanced protein (SEP) analogs of sTF and the sTF Trp mutants by in vivo incorporation of Trp analogs with absorbance and fluorescence distinct from Trp. Attempts to incorporate the Trp analogs 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-OHTrp) and 7-azatryptophan (7- ATrp) into sTF have provided further information on the structural significance of the Trp residues in sTF.
Gene expression during the first 28 days of axolotl limb regeneration I: Experimental design and global analysis of gene expression

While it is appreciated that global gene expression analyses can provide novel insights about complex biological processes, experiments are generally insufficiently powered to achieve this goal. Here we report the results of a robust microarray experiment of axolotl forelimb regeneration. At each of 20 post‐amputation time points, we estimated gene expression for 10 replicate RNA samples that were isolated from 1 mm of heterogeneous tissue collected from the distal limb tip. We show that the limb transcription program diverges progressively with time from the non‐injured state, and divergence among time adjacent samples is mostly gradual. However, punctuated episodes of transcription were identified for five intervals of time, with four of these coinciding with well‐described stages of limb regeneration—amputation, early bud, late bud, and pallet. The results suggest that regeneration is highly temporally structured and regulated by mechanisms that function within narrow windows of time to coordinate transcription within and across cell types of the regenerating limb. Our results provide an integrative framework for hypothesis generation using this complex and highly informative data set.