cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Problem-Based Learning: A Concrete Approach to Teaching Aesthetics

This article presents a concrete strategy for the teaching of aesthetics: Problem-based learning (PBL). More than an isolated activity, PBL is both a curricular organizer and an instructional method that develops students' higher order thinking skills as they investigate ill-defined problems drawn from real-life situations. The article begins with an example of aesthetics as implicit content in an upper elementary grade art lesson followed by an introduction to PBL, including its history and theoretical foundations. The challenges of implementing a PBL unit using an example of PBL in an elementary school setting is explored. The article concludes with an illustration of how PBL can be applied to teaching aesthetics as an explicit part of the art curriculum. Aesthetic philosophies are implicit in what teachers do as they guide students in the creation and appreciation of art (Anderson & McRorie, 1997; Parsons, 1994; Stewart, 1994). For example, a teacher's selection of a particular kind of art to discuss art with students draws on a specific theory on art-whether it is canonized by a Western European aesthetic philosophy or, taking a pluralist view, is drawn from diverse cultures (Hamblen & Galanes, 1997). In discussing these works, the method of criticism employed by the teacher, such as Broudy's (1988) aesthetic scanning technique or the Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) (Housen, 2001; Yenawine, 1998), also presents a specific philosophy about the nature of art (formalism, in the cases of Broudy and VTS). By not discussing the tacit assumptions about what constitutes art inherent in particluar approaches, students miss the opportunity to grapple with definitional issues or to consider the various roles art has played in different cultures throughout history. If we expect students to have a substantive understanding of art and its contribution to human experience, it is not sufficient for aesthetic philosophies to remain implicit in an art teacher's curriculum. Aesthetic content needs to be made explicit, by highlighting philosophical issues or theories as they arise naturally in a preexisting unit or, preferably, by implementing more concrete strategies. In this article, I will present a concrete strategy for the teaching of aesthetics: Problem-based learning (PBL). More than an isolated activity, problem-based learning is both a curricular organizer and an instructional method that develops students' higher order thinking skills as they investigate ill-defined problems drawn from real-life situations. In the most successful applications of PBL, students are challenged to think deeply about complex situations.1 Like any method or theory, however, its effectiveness depends on the way it is applied.
Intelligence in cyberspace: the road to cyber singularity

Intelligence has been defined in many ways like logic, awareness, reasoning, critical thinking, etc. Many researchers insist on the possibility of a Technological Singularity shortly, which may see...
Hedge Fund Performance in Japan

The decades of 1990s and 2000s in Japan are periods of economic stagnation and price deflation or the ‘lost 20’. Stock market has been anemic while the bond market has underperformed most developed...
CBP/p300 orthologs CBP2 and CBP3 play distinct roles in planarian stem cell function

Abstract Chromatin modifications function as critical regulators of gene expression and cellular identity, especially in the regulation and maintenance of the pluripotent state. However, many studies of chromatin modification in stem cells—and pluripotent stem cells in particular—are performed in mammalian stem cell culture, an in vitro condition mimicking a very transient state during mammalian development. Thus, new models for study of pluripotent stem cells in vivo could be helpful for understanding the roles of chromatin modification, for confirming prior in vitro studies, and for exploring evolution of the pluripotent state. The freshwater flatworm, Schmidtea mediterranea, is an excellent model for studying adult pluripotent stem cells, particularly in the context of robust, whole-body regeneration. To identify chromatin modifying and remodeling enzymes critical for planarian regeneration and stem cell maintenance, we took a candidate approach and screened planarian homologs of 26 genes known to regulate chromatin biology in other organisms. Through our study, we identified six genes with novel functions in planarian homeostasis, regeneration, and behavior. We also identified in our list five planarian homologs of the mammalian CREB-Binding Protein (CBP) family of histone acetyltransferases, representing an expansion of this family in planarians. We find that two planarian CBP family members are required for planarian survival, with knockdown of Smed-CBP2 and Smed-CBP3 causing distinct defects in stem cell maintenance or function. Loss of CBP2 causes a quick, dramatic loss of stem cells, while knockdown of CBP3 more narrowly affects stem cells, preferentially decreasing markers of neural progenitors. We propose that the division of labor among a diversified CBP family in planarians presents an opportunity to dissect specific functions of a broadly important histone acetyltransferase family in stem cell biology.
COVID-19 and myeloid cells: complex interplay correlates with lung severity

COVID-19 spans a wide range of symptoms, sometimes with profound immune system involvement. How immune cell subsets change during the disease course and with disease severity needs further study. While myeloid cells have been shown to initiate and maintain responses to pneumonia and lung inflammation, often playing a role in resolution, their involvement with COVID-19 remains unknown. In this issue of the JCI, Sanchez-Cerrillo and Landete et al. investigated DCs and monocytes from blood and bronchial secretions of patients with varying COVID-19 severity and with healthy controls. The authors conclude that circulating monocytes and DCs migrate from the blood into the inflamed lungs. While sampling differences in sex, collection timing, bacteria/fungal infection, and corticosteroid treatment limit interpretation, we believe that reprogramming monocyte or macrophages by targeting immunometabolism, epigenetics, or the cytokine milieu holds promise in resolving lung inflammation associated with COVID-19.
An information inequality for Bayesian analysis in imaging problems

The Cramer–Rao bound on the covariance and the Fisher information matrix are widely used in inverse (or imaging) problems. Within the Bayesian framework, thousands of works have been published where these notions have been implemented without much concern as to how they were derived and what exactly they mean. These notions were conceived originally within the frequentist framework and subsequent works extended them while still using estimators and their sampling variability. In frequentist analysis, the Cramer–Rao inequality states that the inverse of the Fisher information is a lower bound on the estimation variance of any unbiased estimator. This work revisits the issue within a Bayesian framework, where the focus is on the posterior probability density function (pdf). An information matrix and a lower bound for the covariance matrix of the posterior pdf are derived that, though looking similar to Fisher and Cramer–Rao, respectively, are different and have a different interpretation: The inverse of the B information (defined here) is a lower bound on the covariance of the posterior pdf. For this result to be valid, it is required that the posterior pdf have at least continuous second derivatives and it and its first derivatives vanish at the boundary of the domain over which they are defined. These requirements are mild and are satisfied for many problems. This analysis provides justification for a method used by practitioners and also illustrates under what conditions this approximation is appropriate.
SU-E-T-166: Characterization of Efficiency and Plan Quality for the FFF Beams On Various Anatomical Sites

Purpose: To characterize efficiency and plan quality for the FFF beams for various sites. Methods: 5 brain, Head and Neck, prostate, lung and liver cancer patients IMRT plans (25 total) were generated on either Prowess 4.6 or Eclipse 13.5 using the same dose constraints for each treatment site. Step and shoot with static gantry IMRT was used for treatment delivery. PTV coverage, critical structure doses, MUs, number of segments and beam on times were compared. Results: The average PTV size was 29.0, 34.9, 89.2, 257.6, 289.2 cm3 for liver, lung, prostate, head and neck and brain respectively.All plans were normalized such that 95% of the PTV volume would receive at least 95% of prescribed dose. All doses to the critical structures for both the FFF and flat beam met the targeted dose constraints.For plans with field sizes 10 cm, required 10% – 20% more segments and MUs for the FFF beam to achieve the same plan quality as the flat beam. Despite this, for fraction sizes less than 2.5 Gy the FFF beam is still approximately 13.9% more efficient in terms of delivery time. Conclusion: For the various treatment sites studied here, plans generated with the FFF beam were dosimetrically similar to those generated with a flattened beam. Despite the greater number of MUs and segments required to achieve the same plan quality as the flat beam for some plans, the FFF beam is still more efficient compared to the flat beam.
On closed-loop transmit beamforming with simple beam-control commands

Transmit beamforming in frequency-division duplex wireless systems typically requires the channel state information of the forward link which is not easily available at base stations. We present a novel concept of transmit beamforming that operates without channel state information but based on beam-control commands in an analogous fashion to the well-known open-/closed-loop power control in cellular wireless communication systems. Simulation results show that the proposed operating principle is sufficiently effective in steering beam patterns toward multiple moving mobiles and also able to maintain the signal quality at a desired level expressed in SINR.
Comparison of skin invasion among three major species of Schistosoma

A comparison of the host-finding behavior, mode of skin invasion and skin-migratory patterns of the three major schistosomes of humans reveals major differences. Among the three species, Schistosoma japonicum is remarkable at conserving energy during the host-finding process, and exhibiting swift migration through the skin to reach the predilection site sooner and mature earlier compared with Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium. In this article, we summarize and compare the penetration and migratory behavior of schistosomula of the three major human schistosomes through mouse and human skin.
Teratogenic effects of cholinergic insecticides in chick embryos--IV. The role of tryptophan in protecting against limb deformities.

Abstract The mechanism by which organophosphate (OP) insecticides cause micromelia in embryonic chick limbs was examined using a tissue culture approach. Limb bud cells in micromass culture were assayed for their proliferative and chondrogenic activities, [ 3 H]thymidine and 35 SO 4 = incorporation, respectively, into the trichloroacetic acid-insoluble constituents of the cell masses and/or the accumulation of 35 S-labeled soluble macromolecular products in the culture medium. There was no obvious correlation between either the teratogenicity or toxicity of the insecticide in ovo and the inhibition of proliferation and chondrogenesis in vitro . In addition, nicotinamide, which prevents insecticide-induced micromelia in ovo , did not improve the proliferative and chondrogenic performance of insecticide-treated cells in culture. On the other hand, 2-pyridinealdoxime methochloride, which offers little or no protection against micromelia in ovo , did protect both the proliferative and chondrogenic activities of the limb bud cells in micromass culture. These observations suggest that the actions of the insecticides on the cells in culture are not the same as those that produce micromelia in ovo . l -Tryptophan antagonized OP insecticide-induced micromelia in the embryo. In micromass culture, a much greater concentration of tryptophan was needed to support the chondrogenic than the proliferative activities of the limb bud cells. Moreover, a greater concentration of tryptophan was needed to support the chondrogenic activities of the leg bud than the wing bud cells. These in vitro responses of the limb bud cells to tryptophan deprivation are analogous to the in ovo response of the limbs to the teratogenic OP insecticides. A possible explanation of the roles of tryptophan and nicotinamide in preventing the limb deformities is offered.
Cats that successfully vent gastric acid-derived CO2 exhibit different muscle activation than those that do not (1178.13)

We previously reported that inhaling 10% CO2 increased efflux of CO2-laden gas from cats’ stomachs. Anesthetized cats were surgically instrumented: we measured electromyograms (EMGs) from respiratory and oropharyngeal muscles, including crural diaphragm (CD) and upper esophageal sphincter (UES), as well as tracheal and esophageal gas flow and composition. Animals were exposed to six, 10-min bouts of 10% CO2 breathing separated by 10 min air breathing. All animals produced gastric CO2 and expelled it during cough, but half failed to expel CO2 during normal breathing (non-responders (NR) n=4). Responders (Re, n=4) expelled gastric CO2 during normal breathing. EMGs were compared by t-test to determine if different levels of muscle activation were present in the two groups. EMG signals were rectified and analyzed breath-by-breath for inspiratory (ins) and expiratory (exp) values and are presented as mean percent of the highest value observed for that animal ± SE. Compared to Re, NR had higher UES activation d...
The Effective Modulus of Random Checkerboard Plates

We investigate the elastic effective modulus Eeff of two-dimensional checkerboard specimens in which square tiles are randomly assigned to one of two component phases. This is a model system for a wide class of multiphase polycrystalline materials such as granitic rocks and many ceramics. We study how the effective stiffness is affected by different characteristics of the specimen (size relative to the tiles, stiff fraction, and modulus contrast between the phases) and obtain analytical approximations to the probability distribution of Eeff as a function of these parameters. In particular, we examine the role of percolation of the soft and stiff phases, a phenomenon that is important in polycrystalline materials and composites with inclusions. In small specimens, we find that the onset of percolation causes significant discontinuities in the effective modulus, whereas in large specimens, the influence of percolation is smaller and gradual. The analysis is an extension of the elastic homogenization methodology of Dimas et al. (2015, “Random Bulk Properties of Heterogeneous Rectangular Blocks With Lognormal Young's Modulus: Effective Moduli,” ASME J. Appl. Mech., 82(1), p. 011003), which was devised for blocks with lognormal spatial variation of the modulus. Results are validated through Monte Carlo simulation. Compared with lognormal specimens with comparable first two moments, checkerboard plates have more variable effective modulus and are on average less compliant if there is prevalence of stiff tiles and more compliant if there is prevalence of soft tiles. These differences are linked to percolation.
Effect of galanin and galanin antagonists on peristalsis in esophageal smooth muscle in the opossum

Galanin, a neuropeptide that is widely distributed in the esophageal nerves, is known to exert a neuromodulatory action in the gut. These studies examined the effect of galanin and galanin antagonists on esophageal peristalsis in anesthetized opossums in vivo. Intraluminal esophageal pressures were recorded at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter. Esophageal peristaltic contractions were induced by swallow and short- (1-s) and long-train (10-s) vagal stimulation (VS). Galanin (1 nmol/kg) inhibited the amplitude of swallow-induced peristaltic contractions and increased peristaltic velocity by enlarging the latency periods in the upper part of the esophagus and reducing them in the lower part. Galinin nearly abolished esophageal contractions caused by short-train VS at 5 Hz and inhibited the contractions at 10 Hz. Galanin increased latency periods induced by short-train VS with little change in the velocity of peristalsis and reduced the amplitude of both A (cholinergic) and B (noncholinergic) contractions due to long-train VS. However, the decrease in amplitude of B contractions was more marked. Galantide (3 nmol/kg) antagonized the inhibitory action of exogenous galanin on esophageal contractions elicited by short-train VS, but by itself galantide had no significant effect on esophageal contractions. In conclusion, exogenous galanin inhibits the amplitude of swallow-induced peristaltic contractions and converts them into nonperistaltic contractions by inhibiting both the cholinergic and noncholinergic components.
Economic and environmental considerations in a continuous review inventory control system with integrated transportation decisions

Abstract Sustainability throughout supply chains is gaining more importance and re-planning inventory operations can help companies curb emissions. In this study, we present two bi-objective integrated continuous review inventory control and transportation models with less-than-truckload and truckload carriers. Solution methods to approximate the Pareto Frontiers are proposed. Numerical studies illustrate the effects of demand variance and lead time on expected costs and carbon emissions as well as the changes in expected costs and carbon emissions due to sustainability considerations. Sample examples illustrate the use of the methods to compare different carriers in terms of not only economic but also environmental considerations.
Lactose Intolerance Symptoms Assessed by Meta-Analysis: A Grain of Truth That Leads to Exaggeration

A meta-analysis was conducted to compare the lactose intolerance symptoms of lactose maldigesters after consuming lactose (as milk, lactose dissolved in water, milk products, or commercial product) with responses after a placebo under masked conditions. An English language MEDLINE search was conducted using the medical subject heading of "lactose intolerance" from 1966 to January 2002. From an initial 1,553 citations, 2 independent reviewers selected 21 studies based on study design (randomized, crossover, blind) and use of an amount of lactose likely to be found in a meal (7-25 g) and a placebo among subjects free of gastrointestinal problems and >4 years old. Mean severity of symptom responses were analyzed as standardized differences, and the presence or absence of a symptom was estimated as pooled incidence differences (ID). For severity of flatulence, the standardized difference was 0.18 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.16 to +0.52). The CIs for abdominal bloating and pain, degree of diarrhea, frequency of bowel movements per day, and frequency of diarrhea per day also included 0. For abdominal bloating, the ID was 5.9 more people per 100 with symptoms after lactose than placebo (CI -0.07 to +0.19). This same nonsignificant relationship was found for abdominal pain. The ID for diarrhea or loose stools was 0.15 (CI 0.03 to 0.28). Although the incidence of diarrhea was significantly higher, the size of the effect was very small. The results indicate that lactose is not a major cause of symptoms for lactose maldigesters following usual intakes of dairy foods, that is, 1 cup.
Program termination and well partial orderings

The following known observation is useful in establishing program termination: if a transitive relation R is covered by finitely many well-founded relations U1,…,Un then R is well-founded. A question arises how to bound the ordinal height vRv of the relation R in terms of the ordinals αi = vUiv. We introduce the notion of the stature pPp of a well partial ordering P and show that vRv ≤ pα1 × … × αnp and that this bound is tight. The notion of stature is of considerable independent interest. We define p P p as the ordinal height of the forest of nonempty bad sequences of P, but it has many other natural and equivalent definitions. In particular, p P p is the supremum, and in fact the maximum, of the lengths of linearizations of P. And pα1 × … × αnp is equal to the natural product α1 ⊗ … ⊗ αn.
Mechanics of Vorticella Contraction

Vorticella convallaria is one of a class of fast-moving organisms that can traverse its body size in less than a millisecond by rapidly coiling a slender stalk anchoring it to a nearby surface. The stalk houses a fiber called the spasmoneme, which winds helically within the stalk and rapidly contracts in response to calcium signaling. We have developed a coupled mechanical-chemical model of the coiling process, accounting for the coiling of the elastic stalk and the binding of calcium to the protein spasmin. Simulations of the model describe the contraction and recovery processes quantitatively. The stalk-spasmoneme system is shown to satisfy geometric constraints, which explains why the cell body sometimes rotates during contraction. The shape of the collapsing and recovering stalk bounds its effective bending stiffness. Simulations suggest that recovery from the contracted state is driven by the stalk at a rate controlled by dissociation of calcium from spasmin.
Haste makes waste versus a stitch in time? A reply to Vernon, Nador, and Kantor

Abstract Vernon, Nador, and Kantor (1985) conclude from their data that “speed of information-processing was an equally good predictor of timed and untimed intelligence test performance“ (p. 357). This conclusion does not follow from their data. Rather, their data show that speed-of-information processing better predicts timed than untimed intelligence test performance, as one might expect. Vernon et al. also draw several other conclusions from their data that are incorrect.
Secularity and biblical literalism: confronting the case for epistemological diversity

Stephen Carter argues that biblical literalism is predicated on an epistemological position drastically different than that maintained by mainstream scientists inasmuch as it operates on the basis of a “hermeneutic of inerrancy” with respect to the ideas laid out in the Bible. By relying on considerations offered by Charles Taylor and recent sociological studies, I contend that Carter’s thesis is incorrect. The divide between proponents and opponents of biblical literalism is ethical rather than epistemological. Beyond the philosophical implications of my contention, this displays that deliberative engagement between these parties—which depends on shared epistemological norms—is possible in principle.
Characterizing Interactions between γ-Synuclein and PLCβ2 in Breast Cancer Cells

γ-Synuclein is a small intrinsically disordered protein of unknown function that is usually found in the peripheral nervous system. Phospholipase β2 (PLCβ2) is an important component of the G-protein signaling pathway and its activation leads to calcium release in cells. These two proteins are both overexpressed in late stage breast cancer but not in early stage (Stage I and II) or in healthy breast tissues. We have previously shown that γ-synuclein binds strongly to PLCβ2 both in-vivo and in-vitro, as demonstrated by immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence and binding assays. Here, we show that knocking down the expression of γ-synuclein using siRNA, results in a concomitant reduction in the expression of PLCβ2. Here, we also find that reducing the level of γ-synuclein in MDA MB 231 cells (which mimics stage 4 breast cancer) causes significant changes in cell morphology that indicate a reversion to healthy breast cell phenotype. Additionally, such reduction of γ-synuclein in MDA MB 231 cells results in a stronger and faster calcium release in response to G protein stimulation, corroborating our previous work showing that the binding of γ-synuclein to PLCβ2 reduces its activity. We are currently investigating whether γ-synuclein promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion through its association with PLCβ2. A peptide inhibitor of the γ-synuclein – PLCβ2 complex is presently being tested.This work was supported by NIH GM053132
Correlation of immunohistologic and perfusion vascular parameters with MR contrast enhancement using image-guided biopsy specimens in gliomas.

Rationale and Objectives The purpose of this study was to correlate the status of magnetic resonance contrast enhancement with immunohistologic vascular parameters such as microvascular cellular proliferation (MVCP), microvascular density (MVD), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) expression, and World Health Organization (WHO) grade obtained from image-guided biopsy specimens. We also compared perfusion computed tomography (PCT) parameters such as cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and permeability surface area-product (PS) with the presence or absence of contrast enhancement. Materials and Methods A total of 26 image-guided biopsy specimens in 16 patients with treatment naive gliomas were obtained from contrast-enhancing (CE) and nonenhancing (NE) regions of the glioma. Contrast enhancement status was correlated with MVD, MVCP, VEGFR-2 expression, and WHO grade obtained from the biopsy specimen as well as with the PCT parameters. Results Contrast enhancement showed statistically significant correlation with MVCP ( P = .003) and PS ( P = .007) when compared with various immunohistologic and perfusion vascular parameters. WHO grade of the biopsy specimen showed statistically significant correlation with contrast enhancement ( P = .002), MVCP ( P P = .028). Conclusion Contrast enhancement in gliomas is primarily from a break in blood-brain barrier as evidenced by its correlation with PS and MVCP, whereas it was not statistically correlated with CBV and MVD even though it showed a positive trend. Contrast enhancement also showed significant correlation with WHO grade suggesting a biopsy from CE region in a heterogeneous glioma probably will still yield the most aggressive part of the glioma is also shown by its association with MVCP and PS estimates.
A tightest convex envelope heuristic to row sparse and rank one matrices

The main result of this paper is providing a tight convex envelope to row sparse and rank one matrices which is of major interest in signal recovery applications. The resulting convexification turns out to be the l1 norm of the matrix. This result highlights the fact that a joint convexification approach may not significantly improve the signal recovery process.
Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of a zinc bis-dithiocarboxylate derivative

Abstract The zinc(II) complex, Zn(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzene-dithiocarboxylate)2(pyridine) (3) was obtained by the reaction of Zn(CH3CN)4(BF4)2 with the sodium salt of 3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzene-dithiocarboxylate (1) with subsequent recrystallization from pyridine. The latter salt (1) was prepared by the deprotonation of 2,6-di-t-butylphenol with NaH in THF, followed by reaction with carbon disulfide at ambient temperature. The structure of complex 3 was established by X-ray crystallography and shown to be of a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry with one sulfur atom from each of the dithiocarboxylate ligands occupying the axial sites. By way of contrast, Na(2,4-di-t-butylphenolate) was found to react with CS2 to afford the xanthate derivative, Na(O-2,4-di-t-butylphenyldithiocarbonate) (4).
Microprocessor Architecture [Guest editor's inroduction]

This marks the second issue of Computer devoted to the Asilomar Workshop on Microprocessors. As with the first such issue (January 1976), no attempt has been made to cover the workshop in toto (a summary report appeared in the July 1976 Computer). Rather, the goal has been to spotlight a few of the more interesting developments and philosophies that were explored during the April 1976 workshop.
IUCN Red List assessment and the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation: taxonomists must act now

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) sets a series of ambitious targets for 2010 to stem the loss of plant diversity. Target 2 calls for a preliminary assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species, at national, regional and international levels, but with less than 3% of global diversity assessed to date, the process must be greatly accelerated. This can best be done by mobilizing plant taxonomists to identify species that are threatened (or potentially threatened) using available distribution data from herbaria and other sources, and by including preliminary IUCN Red List assessments in all their taxonomic works. Emphasis should be placed on rare taxa with restricted ranges, which are the most likely to be at risk. Sufficient data are available for preliminary assessment of nearly all species, thereby limiting the number that must be relegated to "data deficient" status (DD). The taxonomic community can play a unique role in fulfilling the GSPC goals, but we must act quickly.
A probabilistic model for the dynamics of cascading failures and blackouts in power grids

Current power grids suffer periodic disturbances that may trigger cascades of component failures, which, in turn, can result in blackouts of different scales. Understanding cascading failures and the ability to predict the risk of blackouts are therefore of great value in designing control and outage management systems for future smart grids. In this paper, a novel probabilistic approach is proposed to model the dynamics of cascading failures in power grids. The model characterizes the probability of reaching a blackout of an arbitrary size in any time interval starting from an initial grid state. The model exploits two power grid parameters: the maximum capacity of the set of failed lines and the grid loading ratio. Simulations have shown that these parameters largely affect the cascading failures. In addition, the number of failed lines and the maximum capacity of the failed lines are utilized to reduce the space of all possible grid configurations into a much smaller set of equivalence classes, thereby making the model scalable to large power grids. The results of the analytical model are in agreement with Monte Carlo simulations performed with the IEEE 118-bus system.
Managing Conflict for Productive Results: A Critical Leadership Skill

(1998). Managing Conflict for Productive Results: A Critical Leadership Skill. The Journal of Continuing Higher Education: Vol. 46, No. 2, pp. 2-11.
Transfer and temporal organization

The study attempts to demonstrate a number of points regarding transfer: First, that material which is disjunctive, and is made to interact will produce negative transfer, irrespective of the transfer paradigm involved. Second, that interactive material will not show negative transfer if the interacting items can be integrated. Third, that positive transfer can be demonstrated when new material to be learned can be integrated with already well-learned material. Negative transfer is regarded as due to an inability to deal simultaneously with disjunctive material. Material which can be integrated can be dealt with simultaneously, thus avoiding interference effects.
Effects of Situated Learning on Knowledge Gain of Instructional Strategies by Students in a Graduate Level Course.

An investigation is described during which three dimensions of situated learning (i.e., social interaction, a reliance on authentic activity, and creation of a learning community) were incorporated into the design and implementation of an on-campus course on instructional strategies for students with diverse learning needs. This choice of pedagogy arose from recent advances in learning theory suggesting that the context (i.e., situation) in which students learn impacts the degree to which educational outcomes are realized. Data, primarily in the form of responses on an anonymous questionnaire administered on the last day of class, are shared as well as information about sample products class members created as validation of their acquisition of course outcomes. All class members committed to apply their new learning within their respective roles in K-12 settings and attributed their knowledge gain to specific dimensions of situated learning applied in the course. Limitations and implications of the study ...
Role of Parasites in the Population Dynamics of the Western Spruce Budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in the Northwest

The relation of parasitization to mortality during the generation ( KG ) or from instar IV to adults ( KL-A ) of western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman, is examined. Parasitization of budworm larvae and pupae was studied over a wide range of densities (0.3–48.3 larvae per m2 and 0.1–22.6 pupae per m2) at sites in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. We found that parasites contributed about 9% of the variation affecting generation change, KG , and about 24% of variation in mortality during the interval from larvae to adults, KL-A .
Learned helplessness induction decreases in vivo cortical serotonin release.

Abstract Frontal neocortices of freely moving, unanesthetized rats were perfused before, during, and after exposure to 40 min of uncued pulsed random footshock. Animals developing nontransient learned helplessness had lower levels of serotonin in cortical perfusate than those failing to develop helplessness.
XL. The condensation and reflexion of gas molecules

(1916). XL. The condensation and reflexion of gas molecules. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 32, No. 190, pp. 364-371.
Northern Ireland and Theories of Ethnic Politics

This article is an application to Northern Ireland of theoretical ideas about ethnic politics. Four sets of ideas are relevant: (1) the theory developed by Rabushka and Shepsle (1972); (2) "pluralist" theory, developed by a number of scholars; (3) "consociational democracy," developed by Lijphart (1977a, 1975a, 1969); and (4) "mobilization" theory, developed by Wolfinger (1965) and modified by Peleg and Peleg (1977). It is found that, on the whole, the Rabushka-Shepsle theory is the best of the four. Based on this analysis, it is concluded that the prospects for a political solution to the Northern Irish conflict in the foreseeable future are, at best, slim. While this conclusion could be drawn from unsystematic observation, we engage in theoretically informed discussion which places it on a much firmer logical foundation.
Cold air-induced bronchoconstriction is mediated by tachykinin and kinin release in guinea pigs

In the present study, we investigated the role of acetylcholine, tachykinins and kinins in the bronchoconstriction induced by cold air inhalation. Cold air was delivered to anaesthetised, artificially ventilated guinea pigs through a tracheal cannula. Inhalation of cold air increased the maximum total pulmonary resistance (RL) in a time-dependent manner, reaching a maximum after 15 min of exposure. The increase in RL induced by exposure to cold air for 10 min was not affected by pretreatment with atropine (1.4 mu mol/kg, i.v.); it was abolished by the tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist, SR 48968 (0.3 mu mol/kg, i.v.) and was reduced by 58% by the kinin B2 receptor antagonist, HOE 140 (0.1 mu mol/kg, i.v.). These findings suggest that cold air induces bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs via a cascade that involves the release of kinins and tachykinins.
Catastrophe: Magic and History in Rural Madagascar

O ensaio trata do inicio de meu trabalho de campo, em 1990, em uma comunidade rural malgaxe, localizada a uma hora por carro da capital Antananarivo. A comunidade estava, naquela epoca, tomada por uma intensa guerra simbolica entre andriana  descendentes do que se pode chamar cla nobre  e mainty, descendentes dos ex-escravos daqueles. A luta ganhou ainda mais significado quando percebi que o estado malgaxe tinha, por varios interesses e propositos, se retirado de comunidades rurais como aquela, mas membros delas estavam engajados em um jogo sutil de apropriacao da representacao do que era visto como um poder estatal predatorio e coercitivo, de modo a defender-se dele, um habito que tornou muito dificil de perceber o fato de que comunidades rurais estavam efetivamente se auto governando. Abstract The essay recounts the beginning of my fieldwork in a Malagasy rural community an hours drive from the capital of Antananarivo in 1990. The community itself was, at the time I arrived, locked in a kind of intense symbolic warfare between andriana  descended from what might be called a noble clan  and mainty, the descendants of their former slaves. The struggle took on all the more significance when I came to understand that the Malagasy state had, for most intents and purposes, effectively withdrawn from such rural communities, but that members of those communities were engaged in a subtle game of appropriation of the representatives of what was seen as a predatory and coercive state power so as to fend it off, a habit that made the fact that rural communities were now effectively self-governing very difficult to perceive.
Individuals with Non-Specific Low Back Pain in an Active Episode Demonstrate Temporally Altered Torque Responses and Direction-Specific Enhanced Muscle Activity Following Unexpected Balance Perturbations

Individuals with a history of non-specific low back pain (LBP) while in a quiescent pain period demonstrate altered automatic postural responses (APRs) characterized by reduced trunk torque contributions and increased co-activation of trunk musculature. However, it is unknown whether these changes preceded or resulted from pain. To further delineate the relationship between cyclic pain recurrence and APRs, we quantified postural responses following multi-directional support surface translations, in individuals with non-specific LBP, following an active pain episode. Sixteen subjects with and 16 without LBP stood on two force plates that were translated unexpectedly in 12 directions. Net joint torques of the ankles, knees (sagittal only), hips, and trunk, in the frontal and sagittal planes, were quantified and the activation of 12 muscles of the lower limb unilaterally and the dorsal and ventral trunk, bilaterally, were recorded using surface electromyography (EMG). Peaks and latencies to peak joint torques, rates of torque development (slopes), and integrated EMGs characterizing baseline and active muscle contributions were analyzed for group by perturbation direction (torques) and group by perturbation by epoch interaction (EMG) effects. In general, the LBP cohort demonstrated APRs that were of similar torque magnitude and rate but peaked earlier compared to individuals without LBP. Individuals with LBP also demonstrated increased muscle activity following perturbation directions in which the muscle was acting as a prime mover and reduced muscle activity in opposing directions, proximally and distally, with some proximal asymmetries. These altered postural responses may reflect increased muscle spindle sensitivity. Given that these motor alterations are demonstrated proximally and distally, they likely reflect the influence of central nervous system processing in this cohort.
Melatonin protection against lethal myocyte injury induced by doxorubicin as reflected by effects on mitochondrial membrane potential.

Melatonin (MLT) is highly protective against cardiotoxicity caused by doxorubicin (DOX). DOX induces cardiac damage via production of reactive oxygen species. This study tests the hypothesis that oxygen radicals generated by DOX disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta(psi)(m)) prior to severe cell injury. Myocytes were incubated with 20 micromol/l DOX for 24 h. Myocyte damage was estimated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Mitochondrial membrane potential was determined by staining myocytes with 5, 5', 6, 6'-tetrachloro-1, 1', 3, 3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) using confocal microscope. A significant amount of LDH was observed after 24 h of treatment with DOX. Mitochondria in DOX-treated myocytes exhibited a collapse of Delta(psi)(m). Pretreatment with melatonin (1 mmol/l) for one hour prevented the release of LDH and restored Delta(psi)(m). The data support the hypothesis that DOX induces damage to mitochondria through radicals, and this is reflected in depolarization of Delta(psi)(m), which was prevented by melatonin.
Munchausen by Proxy in an international context.

Abstract Objective: The professional literature on Munchausen by Proxy (MBP) abuse consists of more than 400 articles, chapters, and books. Most have come from a handful of English-speaking industrialized countries. Our aims were to establish the extent to which published work about MBP has emerged from outside these countries, and to determine the characteristics of any reported cases. Method: Numerous health care computer databases were queried, and the results supplemented by materials accumulated less formally. Results: We identified 59 articles from 24 countries describing at least 122 cases in 9 different languages. Among cases in which the information was available, the mother was the sole perpetrator in 86%, the victim was aged between 3 years and 13 years in 52%, and the victim was male in 54%. The presentations of MBP appear to be similar across the world with the exception of induced apnea, which emerged as notably uncommon in this review. An extensive table presents the characteristics of each case. Conclusions: MBP clearly is not a phenomenon unique to Western or highly medicalized societies. This form of abuse is being increasingly recognized and reported throughout the world. The literature from the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand often presupposes access to resources, such as subspecialists and social service agencies, that may be seriously constrained in other countries. The contributions of professionals elsewhere will be vital in ensuring that the efforts in English-speaking industrialized settings to develop standards of care encompass an international perspective.
Stable Coupling Method for Interface Scattering Problems by Combined Integral Equations and Finite Elements

The problem of elastic-fluid scattering is studied by combined integral equations for the exterior acoustic fluid and finite element methods for the elastic structure. These yield reduced problems over finite domains. The well-known difficulty with exterior integral equation methods at critical frequencies carries over to the reduced problem. A procedure is given to overcome this difficulty and a complete analysis of this procedure is provided, showing existence, uniqueness, and optimal convergence for the coupled problems. This method is termed stable. Numerical experiments confirm that the new approach is valid for all frequencies and indicate that variational methods are preferable to collocation in the treatment of integral equations, even for purely exterior problems. Our method is fully variational and may be expressed in a symmetric form.
The poor and the environment: Friends or foes?

Abstract The conventional literature in the environment and development field often presents a rather deterministic view of the relationship between poverty and the environment, revolving around the negative impact of the poor on the environment. Based on extensive fieldwork in rural communities across the Philippines, this article is a case study of that relationship between the poor and the environment in a country with severe poverty rates, significant environmental degradation, and a highly organized civil society. As a country where large numbers of poorer people have been transformed into environmental activists, the Philippines offers both a refutation of the traditional paradigm of poor people as environmental destroyers and enormous insights into the conditions under which poor people become environmental protectors. This case study leads the author to posit a set of conditions under which poor people become environmental activists rather than environmental degraders. Suggestions are made as to the relevance of the Philippine case study for understanding the relationship between the poor and the environment in other parts of the Third World.
FACTORS AFFECTING SULFUR DIOXIDE BINDING IN DRIED APPLES AND APRICOTS

The effect of sulfuring on bisulfite binding in apricots and apples was determined. Sulfuring methods had no effect on binding. Dehydration resulted in less conversion of the sulfur dioxide to the sulfate. An oxygen scavenger added to the packaged dried apricots reduced both the rate of sulfur dioxide conversion to sulfate and the total sulfur dioxide loss, resulting in the product remaining lighter in color for a longer time. In resulfuring, a progressively larger percentage of the added sulfur dioxide was bound as the storage time before resulfuring increased. The pH effect on sulfur dioxide binding was different in model solutions than in particulate fruit. In the former, there appeared to be a direct relationship to bisulfite dissociation but not in the latter.
Atmospheric wet deposition of trace elements to a suburban environment, Reston, Virginia, USA

Abstract Wet deposition from a suburban area in Reston, Virginia was collected during 1998 and analyzed to assess the anion and trace-element concentrations and depositions. Suburban Reston, approximately 26 km west of Washington, DC, is densely populated and heavily developed. Wet deposition was collected bi-weekly in an automated collector using trace-element clean sampling and analytical techniques. The annual volume-weighted concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb were similar to those previously reported for a remote site on Catoctin Mt., Maryland (70 km northwest), which indicated a regional signal for these elements. The concentrations and depositions of Cu and Zn at the suburban site were nearly double those at remote sites because of the influence of local vehicular traffic. The 1998 average annual wet deposition (μg m −2 yr −1 ) was calculated for Al (52,000), As (94), Cd (54), Cr (160), Cu (700), Fe (23,000), Mn (2000), Ni (240), Pb (440), V (430), and Zn (4100). The average annual wet deposition (meq m −2 yr −1 ) was calculated for H + (74), Cl − (8.5), NO 3 − (33), and SO 4 2− (70). Analysis of digested total trace-element concentrations in a subset of samples showed that the refractory elements in suburban precipitation comprised a larger portion of the total deposition of trace elements than in remote areas.
Maternal encouragement in nonhuman primates and the question of animal teaching.

Most putative cases of teaching in nonhuman animals involve parent-offspring interactions. The interpretation of these cases, particularly with regard to the cognitive processes involved, is controversial. Qualitative and quantitative observations made in nonhuman primates suggest that, in some species, mothers encourage their infants’ independent locomotion and that encouragement can be considered a form of instruction. In macaques, experience in raising previous offspring accounts in part for variability between mothers in propensity to encourage infant motor skills. Parsimony suggests that the cognitive mechanisms underlying maternal encouragement of infant locomotion in primates as well as some other putative cases of animal teaching may involve first-order intentionality (i.e., goal-directed behavior) and not higher cognitive processes such as attribution of knowledge/ignorance or perspective-taking. Encouragement of infant independent locomotion early in life may have benefits to mothers later on, in terms of reduction of costs of infant carrying, earlier infant weaning, and increased probability of reproduction in the mating season. The elementary forms of teaching observed in nonhuman primates may have played an important role in the origin and evolution of human culture.