cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Downfall of the Diorama: Science Fair Displays in Contemporary America

Over the course of the twentieth century, millions of American children conducted their first science experiments by participating in science fairs. In tracing the development of a new visual medium of the 20th century – the science fair display – this paper captures the unruliness of scientific representation from a child’s eye view. The essay traces this phenomenon against the backdrop of broader debates regarding the role scientifically inclined youth would play in shaping the nation’s future. Science fairs also raise important philosophical questions regarding the epistemology of children’s experimentation. Over the course of fifty years, three-dimensional dioramas of the Progressive era were supplanted by postwar argument-driven text panels, capturing a distinct rupture in scientific representation. The essay argues that science fair displays provide an entry point for understanding how adolescents conceived of science on visual, material, social, and epistemological terms.
Development of a Typology of Diabetes-Specific Family Functioning Among Adults With Type 2.

BACKGROUND Family members' responses to adults' diabetes and efforts to manage it vary widely. Multiple aspects of diabetes-specific family functioning have been identified as important for self-management and psychosocial well-being in theoretical (i.e., theories of social support and collaborative coping) and observational literature. PURPOSE Develop a typological framework of diabetes-specific family functioning and examine cross-sectional associations between type and diabetes outcomes. METHODS We used electronic health record (EHR) data to identify a cohort of 5,545 adults receiving outpatient care for type 2 diabetes and invited them to complete a survey assessing 10 dimensions of diabetes-specific family functioning. We used k-means cluster analysis to identify types. After type assignment, we used EHR data for the full cohort to generate sampling weights to correct for imbalance between participants and non-participants. We used weighted data to examine unadjusted associations between participant characteristics and type, and in regression models to examine associations between type and diabetes outcomes. Regression models were adjusted for sociodemographics, diabetes duration, and insulin status. RESULTS We identified and named four types: Collaborative and Helpful (33.8%), Satisfied with Low Involvement (22.2%), Want More Involvement (29.6%), and Critically Involved (14.5%; reflecting the highest levels of criticism and harmful involvement). Across these types, hemoglobin A1c, diabetes distress, depressive symptoms, diabetes medication adherence, and diabetes self-efficacy worsened. After covariate adjustment, type remained independently associated with each diabetes outcome (all p's < .05). CONCLUSIONS The typology extends theories of family support in diabetes and applications of the typology may lead to breakthroughs in intervention design, tailoring, and evaluation.
CTA pulmonary artery enlargement in patients with severe aortic stenosis: Prognostic impact after TAVR.

Abstract Background Identifying high-risk patients who will not derive substantial survival benefit from TAVR remains challenging. Pulmonary hypertension is a known predictor of poor outcome in patients undergoing TAVR and correlates strongly with pulmonary artery (PA) enlargement on CTA. We sought to evaluate whether PA enlargement, measured on pre-procedural computed tomography angiography (CTA), is associated with 1-year mortality in patients undergoing TAVR. Methods We retrospectively included 402 patients undergoing TAVR between July 2012 and March 2016. Clinical parameters, including Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) estimated by transthoracic echocardiography were reviewed. PA dimensions were measured on pre-procedural CTAs. Association between PA enlargement and 1-year mortality was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed. Results The median follow-up time was 433 (interquartiles 339–797) days. A total of 56/402 (14%) patients died within 1 year after TAVR. Main PA area (area-MPA) was independently associated with 1-year mortality (hazard ratio per standard deviation equal to 2.04 [95%-confidence interval (CI) 1.48–2.76], p ​ Conclusions Enlargement of MPA on pre-procedural CTA is independently associated with 1-year mortality after TAVR.
Safety challenges for autonomous vehicles in the absence of connectivity

Abstract Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are promoted as a technology that will create a future with effortless driving and virtually no traffic accidents. AV companies claim that, when fully developed, the technology will eliminate 94% of all accidents that are caused by human error. Indeed, these AVs will likely avoid the large number of crashes caused by impaired, distracted or reckless drivers. But there remains a significant proportion of crashes for which no driver is directly responsible. In particular, the absence of connectivity of an AV with its neighboring vehicles (V2V) and the infrastructure (I2V) leads to a lack of information that can induce such crashes. Since AV designs today do not require such connectivity, these crashes would persist in the future. Using prototypical examples motivated by the NHTSA pre-crash scenario typology, we show that fully autonomous vehicles cannot guarantee safety in the absence of connectivity. Combining theoretical models and empirical data, we also argue that such hazardous scenarios will occur with a significantly high probability. This suggests that incorporating connectivity is an essential step on the path towards safe AV technology.
Ultrasound of myxofibrosarcoma

The ultrasound appearance of myxofibrosarcoma is highly variable corresponding to its variable and at times heterogeneous histopathologic appearance. Myxofibrosarcomas may mimic a benign process and the infiltrative tumor margins may be difficult to precisely delineate on ultrasound imaging. These tumor characteristics pose a diagnostic challenge on ultrasound evaluation. The radiologist should be aware of the variable morphologic presentation and infiltrative nature of myxofibrosarcoma and the limitations of ultrasound in the initial diagnosis, biopsy guidance, and post-surgical follow-up of this tumor.
Effective scientific writing

Abstract This series of activities is designed to familiarize you with the norms of scientific writing and provide you practice with this style. These activities will require you to examine other people's writing, to write your own, and to discuss with classmates.
Sociodemographic inequities in tobacco retailer density: Do neighboring places matter?

Abstract We apply a spatial perspective to measure the extent to which the 2018 U.S. racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic composition of census tracts were each associated with tobacco retailer density within a tract and in its neighboring tracts (n = 71,409). A 10-percentage point increase in the Black population was associated with 0.07 (p
Taking the Religion out of Religious Property Disputes

The current trend of local parish suppressions raises fundamental questions regarding ownership of gifted property. Disputes regarding ownership arises when a donor's intent conflicts with the institution's hierarchy claiming ownership of the gifted property. Hierarchical religious institutions like the Roman Catholic Church can assert such claims under two legal principles. First, because the First Amendment requires the separation of church and state, civil courts cannot interpret religious law. Second, because hierarchical religious institutions are often organized as Corporations sole, local parishes are agents of the archdiocese. This Note argues for extending neutral principles of law currently used to settle antra-church property disputes to property disputes between religious institutions and individuals. In applying neutral principles of law, including the law of wills and trusts, courts can successfully adjudicate property disputes to ensure a testator's intent is effectuated.
Proportional feedback stimulation for seizure control in rats.

Summary: Purpose: A responsive electrical brain stimulation system using control feedback was investigated for the treatment of seizures. Methods: A proportional feedback stimulation system was designed. Penicillin-induced episodic seizures were created in rat primary motor cortex. Both intracranial (proximal to seizure focus) and extracranial EEGs were monitored. Current stimulation was applied at the seizure focus by using the intracranial EEG as the current-stimulus template. Different gains (H) for determining feedback stimulus amplitudes were tested. Results: The effect of feedback stimulation on seizures was initially assessed by measuring change in variance of the amplitude histogram of the intracranial EEG before and during stimulation. Mean reduction in amplitude variance during seizure activity was significant, with variance during stimulation progressively reduced as feedback gain was increased, indicating that overall suppression of seizure amplitude depended on H. Further increases in feedback gain typically produced saturating oscillations, indicating that this level of H resulted in instability. Frequency analysis of seizure and stimulation periods for each of the effective levels of H demonstrated close correlation across a large frequency domain, suggesting that the reduction in EEG seizure amplitude during feedback stimulation was possibly because of shunting of neuronal currents near electrodes as opposed to an alteration of neuronal dynamics. Although the frequency and energy responses during seizures before or during feedback stimulation remained well correlated in the delta band, this correlation progressively decreased across the theta, alpha, and beta bands. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that proportional feedback stimulation holds the promise of suppressing seizure activity. More-complicated control algorithms for generating feedback stimulation may provide further improvements in seizure suppression.
Folk Psychology and Phenomenal Consciousness

In studying folk psychology, cognitive and developmental psychologists have mainly focused on how people conceive of non-experiential states such as beliefs and desires. As a result, we know very little about how non-philosophers (or the folk) understand the mental states that philosophers typically classify as being phenomenally conscious. In particular, it is not known whether the folk even tend to classify mental states in terms of their being or not being phenomenally conscious in the first place. Things have changed dramatically in the last few years, however, with a flurry of ground-breaking research by psychologists and experimental philosophers. In this article I will review this work, carefully distinguishing between two questions: First, are the ascriptions that the folk make with regard to the mental states that philosophers classify as phenomenally conscious related to their decisions about whether morally right or wrong action has been done to an entity? Second, do the folk tend to classify mental states in the way that philosophers do, distinguishing between mental states that are phenomenally conscious and mental states that are not phenomenally conscious?
Techniques for accessing the medical literature: I. Currently available approaches

Today physicians and scientists have a wide range of choices in their quest to locate both clinical and scientific information. This article describes the range of choices available to allergists and immunologists as they attempt to locate information on a subject and offers some simple suggestions for managing the increased body of biomedical information.
The career path to instructional design project management: an expert perspective from the US professional services sector

There are well-documented competency standards for instructional/training designers and for project managers. However, there is little research about what skills and abilities employers expect from those seeking to become instructional/training design project managers, particularly within specific industry sectors. Focusing on the US professional services sector, the sector in which firms have a global impact and in which human capital is the largest asset, this article addresses the ‘must have’ skills/competencies, characteristics and organizational conditions associated with career advancement from instructional designer to instructional design project manager by means of an expert study that is grounded in an in-depth literature review. In addition to enhancing knowledge of instructional designers’ competency development for career advancement in the professional services sector, this study also offers some concrete recommendations and implications for research and practice.
Perturbation calculation in a double-partitioned Hilbert space

A method for determining the effective interaction for any number of valence nucleons outside a closed-shell core is discussed. This approach, the method of successive partitioning, allows the most accurate possible computation in low order perturbation theory. Only double partitioning is considered in detail, and calculations are presented for mass 18 nuclei. 1 table, 8 figures. (SDF)
Raman scattering investigation of KH2PO4 subsequent to high fluence laser irradiation

The spectral characteristics of the internal (PO4 tetrahedron) modes of fast-grown KH2PO4 crystals under sub-damage threshold, 10 ns, 355 nm laser irradiation have been investigated. Pump-and-probe Raman spectroscopy indicates transient changes of the intensity of the 915 cm−1, –PO4 internal mode. This change is attributed to a transient increase of the absorption due to generation by the 355 nm pump pulse of electronic defects in the bulk of the crystal.
Effect of cholinergic ligands and local anesthetics on acetylcholine receptor enriched membrane preparations from Torpedo californica electroplax

Abstract Pyrene was introduced in acetylcholine receptor (AcChR)-rich membrane preparations of Torpedo californica electroplax. The lifetime of the singlet excited state of pyrene was used to probe the properties of the hydrocarbon regions of the lipid bilayer as well as the possible perturbing effects of cholinomimetic agents on this region. After excitation with a single 15-ns pulse with a Q-switched ruby laser, the lifetime of the pyrene singlet excited state in the membranes was 200 ns. In desensitized membranes the pyrene fluorescence lifetimes remained unchanged when the cholinergic ligands carbamylcholine, d -tubocurarine, decamethonium, and hexamethonium, as well as α-bungarotoxin, were present. By contrast, the lifetime was shortened when local anesthetics were present. In sensitized membranes no changes in the pyrene lifetimes were detected when the membranes were converted from their resting state to a carbamylcholine-induced “desensitized state.” Water-soluble fluorescence quenchers affected the lifetime of pyrene in membranes. The second order rate constants for the pyrene-quencher interaction were used to detect changes in fluidity and/or membrane lipid accessibility to quenchers induced by ligands or anesthetics. No changes were detected in the quenching constants of nitromethane or Tl + in the presence of cholinergic agents (with the exception of d -tubocurarine); on the other hand, a marked decrease in Tl + accessibility was induced by the anesthetics procaine and tetracaine. Fluorescene dynamics measurements indicate that the hydrocarbon core of the bulk lipid in electroplax is not significantly affected by binding cholinergic ligands to membranebound AcChR. However, the hydrophobic region of the membrane is perturbed by both local anesthetics and one cholinergic ligand, d -tubocurarine. Pyrene was also incorporated into lipid vesicles prepared from T. californica electroplax lipids. The fluorescence lifetimes and quenching values of these lifetimes yielded results similar to those obtained with both sensitized and “desensitized” membrane preparations. The d -tubocurarine effect on the Tl + quenching of the pyrene probe is ascribed to direct interaction of d -tubocurarine with the lipids. These findings favor a mechanism in which perturbation of the hydrophobic (lipid) environment of the AcChR in membranes by local anesthetics and even d -tubocurarine may influence the receptor conversion: sensitized state ↔ desensitized state.
The influence of gasification reactions on char consumption under oxy-combustion conditions: Effects of particle trajectory and conversion

Abstract The effects of char gasification reactions during oxy-combustion of pulverized coal are dependent on the boundary conditions and are not fully understood. In this study, a CFD simulation of lignite coal combustion in a pilot-scale oxyfuel test facility with a 29% oxygen feed are used to determine representative regions (pre-flame, flame, and post-flame) in which char particles are burned. Coal particle trajectories are analyzed to extract representative time-dependent boundary conditions to which char particles are exposed as they traverse the furnace. These realistic boundary conditions are then employed in a detailed, single particle char consumption model to evaluate the influence of the local environment and char conversion on the importance of the gasification reactions to the overall rate of char consumption, using apparent initial reaction rates of char oxidation and gasification in-line with the literature estimates. In the pre-flame region, gasification reactions are of little importance; in the flame region char gasification reactions should not be neglected; while in the post-flame regions, the impact of gasification depends on the particle’s trajectory. When gasification is non-negligible, its significance depends on the particular char’s physical, and especially kinetic, properties. As conversion proceeds, gasification reactions, when significant, can alter the location within the particle where char consumption occurs, further affecting the rate of char consumption. Their impact can induce structural changes that may accelerate conversion via peripheral fragmentation.
Automated Mosaicing of Feature-Poor Optical Coherence Tomography Volumes With an Integrated White Light Imaging System

We demonstrate the first automated, volumetric mosaicing algorithm for optical coherence tomography (OCT) that both accommodates 6-degree-of-freedom rigid transformations and implements a bundle adjustment step amenable to generating large fields of view with endoscopic and freehand imaging systems. Our mosaicing algorithm exploits the known, rigid connection between a combined white light and OCT imaging system to reduce the computational complexity of traditional volumetric mosaicing pipelines. Specifically, the search for 3-D point correspondences is replaced by two, 2-D processing steps: We first coregister a pair of white light images in 2-D and then generate a surface map based on the volumetric OCT data, which is used to convert 2-D image homographies into 3-D volumetric transformations. A significant benefit of our dual-modality approach is its tolerance for feature-poor datasets such as bladder tissue; in contrast, approaches to mosaic feature-rich volumes with significant variations in the local intensity gradient (e.g., retinal data containing prolific vasculature) are not suitable for such feature-poor datasets. We demonstrate the performance of our algorithm using ex vivo bladder tissue and a custom tissue-mimicking phantom. The algorithm shows excellent performance over the range of volume-to-volume transformations expected during endoscopic examination and comparable accuracy with several orders of magnitude superior run times than an open-source gold-standard algorithm (N-SIFT). We anticipate the proposed algorithm can benefit bladder surveillance and surgical planning. Furthermore, its generality gives it broad applicability and potential to extend the use of OCT to clinical applications relevant to large organs typically imaged with freehand, forward-viewing endoscopes.
Field and laboratory biology of the stem-feeding beetle Thamnurgus euphorbiae (Küster) (Col., Scolytidae) in Italy, a potential biological control candidate of leafy spurge in the USA and Canada

: Thamnurgus euphorbiae overwinters as adults in dry stems of Euphorbia characias until the end of March before exiting through circular holes cut with their mandibles. Females and males appeared in the field at the same time, and the first pairs were observed on 28 March on new stems of E. characias having the open-flower at the beginning of its development. Throughout the rest of April it was possible to find and collect the fairly abundant adults. Mating occurs on new stems of the host plant and females walk up towards the top of the stem and start to mine the centre of it in order to penetrate. Oviposition occurs in new stems and eggs are laid singly along the interior of the stem; females laid 35–85 eggs. Upon hatching, larvae started feeding on vascular bundles and the inner cortex. There are three larval instars, and pupation occurred in the stem of the host plant; this insect is univoltine. Thamnurgus euphorbiae has been accepted by the Technical Advisory Group for Biological Control Agents of Weeds for release as a biological control agent of leafy spurge in the US. Prior to this study the biology of T. euphorbiae was unknown.
A nonlinear kinematic wave model for watershed surface runoff

Abstract The kinematic flow on a converging surface is considered as a simple nonlinear model to describe watershed surface runoff. Analytical and numerical solutions to kinematic wave equations are presented. The converging overland-flow model has three parameters: two are geometric parameters, and one is a kinematic wave friction relationship parameter. The geometric parameters are determined from watershed topography, and a simple procedure is outlined for transforming the complex geometry of a natural watershed into an equivalent converging-section geometry. The kinematic wave friction relationship parameter is obtained by an optimization procedure. The model's utility is appraised by considering its application to several natural agricultural watersheds located in two geographically distinct regions. A regression analysis is used to correlate the friction relationship parameter with physically measurable characteristics of watershed physiography. Finally, the proposed model is compared with Nash's linear model.
Dissecting the locus heterogeneity of autism: Significant linkage to chromosome 12q14

Autism is a common neurodevelopmental disorder with a significant genetic component and locus heterogeneity. To date, 12 microsatellite genome screens have been performed using various data sets of sib-pair families (parents and affected children) resulting in numerous regions of potential linkage across the genome. However, no universal region or consistent candidate gene from these regions has emerged. The use of large, extended pedigrees is a recognized powerful approach to identify significant linkage results, as these families potentially contain more potential linkage information than sib-pair families. A genome-wide linkage analysis was performed on 26 extended autism families (65 affected, 184 total individuals). Each family had two to four affected individuals comprised of either avuncular or cousin pairs. For analysis, we used a high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assay, the Affymetrix GeneChip Human Mapping 10K array. Two-point analysis gave peak heterogeneity limit of detection (HLOD) of 2.82 at rs2877739 on chromosome 14q. Suggestive linkage evidence (HLOD>2) from a two-point analysis was also found on chromosomes 1q, 2q, 5q, 6p,11q and 12q. Chromosome 12q was the only region showing significant linkage evidence by multipoint analysis with a peak HLOD=3.02 at rs1445442. In addition, this linkage evidence was enhanced significantly in the families with only male affected (multipoint HLOD=4.51), suggesting a significant gender-specific effect in the etiology of autism. Chromosome-wide haplotype analyses on chromosome 12 localized the potential autism gene to a 4 cM region shared among the affected individuals across linked families. This novel linkage peak on chromosome 12q further supports the hypothesis of substantial locus heterogeneity in autism.
Arginine 454 and lysine 370 are essential for the anion specificity of the organic anion transporter, rOAT3

Organic anion transporters (OATs) and organic cation transporters (OCTs) mediate the flux of xenobiotics across the plasma membranes of epithelia. Substrates of OATs generally carry negative charge(s) whereas substrates of OCTs are cations. The goal of this study was to determine the domains and amino acid residues essential for recognition and transport of organic anions by the rat organic anion transporter, rOAT3. An rOAT3/rOCT1 chimera containing transmembrane domains 1-5 of rOAT3 and 6-12 of rOCT1 retained the specificity of rOCT1, suggesting that residues involved in substrate recognition reside within the carboxyl-terminal half of these transporters. Mutagenesis of a conserved basic amino acid residue, arginine 454 to aspartic acid (R454D), revealed that this amino acid is required for organic anion transport. The uptakes of p-aminohippurate (PAH), estrone sulfate, and ochratoxin A were approximately 10-, approximately 48-, and approximately 32-fold enhanced in oocytes expressing rOAT3 and were only approximately 2-, approximately 6-, and approximately 5-fold enhanced for R454D. Similarly, mutagenesis of the conserved lysine 370 to alanine (K370A) suggested that K370 is important for organic anion transport. Interestingly, the charge specificity of the double mutant, R454DK370A, was reversed in comparison to rOAT3-R454DK370A preferentially transported the organic cation, MPP(+), in comparison to PAH (MPP(+) uptake/PAH uptake = 3.21 for the double mutant vs 0.037 for rOAT3). These data indicate that arginine 454 and lysine 370 are essential for the anion specificity of rOAT3. The studies provide the first insights into the molecular determinants that are critical for recognition and translocation of organic anions by a member of the organic anion transporter family.
Fluorescein test in the prediction of viability of skin flaps on pigs.

The fluorescein test is widely used in clinical and experimental studies for prediction of the viability of skin flaps. A thorough search of the literature revealed that the accuracy of this test had never been studied. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of the fluorescein test in predicting the viability of skin flaps. A total of 212 unipedicle porcine skin flaps were used in this study. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the surviving area of the flap was significantly greater than the staining area of the flap. We suggest that caution be exercised when the fluorescein dye test is used to assess skin flap viability and that the test be used for an approximate indication and not for an accurate prediction of the surviving flap area.
On the origin of V-forms in Arthrobacter atrocyaneus.

From these observations, it can be concluded that V-forms and other angular cell arrangements in Arthrobacter atrocyaneus can arise in several different ways. As summarized diagrammatically in Fig. 5, the irregular cell conjunctions so characteristic of these corynebacteria might be the result of snapping post-fission movement, the germination of adjacent coccoid elements, or the angular growth (germination) of rod-shaped organisms. As yet, the mechanisms underlying each of these processes remain to be clarified.
Exercise participation after diagnosis of breast cancer: trends and effects on mood and quality of life.

Individuals treated for cancer often experience higher levels of emotional distress than the general population. Previous research has shown that exercise can have an ameliorating effect on these problems. This 12-month prospective longitudinal study investigated mood, quality of life, cancer-related symptoms, and exercise behavior of 69 women who had completed treatment for Stage 0-2 breast cancer. We studied the natural progression of exercise participation after cancer treatment. Effects on mood, quality of life, and cancer-related symptoms were assessed after controlling for demographic variables, disease variables, social support, and baseline values to test the hypothesis that women who exercised were more likely to report better mood, higher quality of life, and fewer cancer-related symptoms. Results indicated that women did not increase their exercise participation over time and that overall mean minutes of exercise participation were below recommended levels. Baseline demographic predictors of exercise participation included younger age, having a spouse or partner, increased time since diagnosis, higher social support, and higher depression. Exercise participation was associated with improved physical functioning, but not overall mood or cancer-related symptoms. We discuss implications of these findings towards the well-being of breast cancer survivors.
Software reliability engineering process

What is software reliability engineering (SRE)? SRE is an established discipline that can help organizations improve the reliability of their products and processes. The IEEE/AIAA P1633TM/Draft 4, Draft Recommended Practice for Software Reliability Prediction [6] defines SRE as “the application of statistical techniques to data collected during system development and operation to specify, predict, estimate, and assess the reliability of software-based systems.” SRE is comprised of models and tools and describes the what and how of software reliability engineering. It is important for an organization to have a disciplined process if it is to produce highreliability software. The process includes a life-cycle approach to SRE that takes into account all aspects of a quantitative approach to achieving high-quality software in an organization. The tutorial uses a case-study approach geared to analytical methods and processes that have proven successful for mission-critical applications [8]. The following topics are covered in the tutorial: consumer and producer risk analysis (control charts and acceptance sampling plans), defect analysis, metric analysis, reliability analysis, fault-tree analysis, and reliability model parameter screening.
Household income and spiritual well-being but not body mass index as determinants of poor self-rated health among African American adolescents.

Very little is known about predictors of subjective health status among African American adolescents. This study was designed to determine whether selected anthropometric, psychological, lifestyle behavioral, and structural variables predicted poor self-rated general health in a cross-sectional nonclinical sample of 310 female African American adolescents, 14�18 years old. The odds of reporting poor self-rated health were 2�3 times greater for African American teens from lower socioeconomic households when compared to teens residing in higher socioeconomic households and for those reporting infrequent participation in activities that promote spiritual well-being compared to those who participate more frequently in activities that enhance spiritual health. Findings indicate that socioeconomic level and engagement in behaviors that enhance healthy spirituality appear to be the most salient predictors of self-rated health. In addition to biodiversity considerations that influence perceptions of health status, culturally focused interventions should integrate variables shown to influence self-rated health among African American teens. These inclusions may inform a more integrated understanding of health, health outcomes, and health disparities in this vulnerable population.
Easy SOA: Rapid Prototyping environment withWeb Services for End Users

This paper describes Easy SOA. Easy SOA is a rapid prototyping model for SOA based on Ad hoc Development and Integration tool for End Users (ADIEU). With ADIEU, end users can prototype their Web applications and Web Services rapidly by putting ?cards? into a ?sheet? constructed on a Web browser. Easy SOA realizes a prototype development model for Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) as well as for Web applications and Web Services using ADIEU.
Tumor promoting or tumor suppressing of NF-kappa B, a matter of cell context dependency.

Nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κ B) and its activating signaling pathways are critical regulators for cell lineage development, growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and tumorigenic transformation. As one of the most important transcription factors, NF-κ B has been implicated in the transcriptional upregulation of a number of cytokines, adhesion molecules, growth factors, oncogenes, antiapoptotic proteins, some proapoptotic factors, and even certain viral genes. The role of NF-κ B on tumor promoting has been well-documented in the past two decades. However, during the past few years, a considerable number of studies suggested that NF-κ B and its activating signaling molecules may act as tumor suppressors under some circumstances. Thus, it is highly possible that tumor promoting or tumor suppressing of NF-κ B signaling is determined by the type of cells, stimuli, simultaneous or asynchronous intracellular signals, and other cellular contexts.
Moral Reasoning and Teachers' Understanding of Individualized Instruction.

Abstract This was a study to describe teachers’ understanding of individualized instruction. In‐depth structured interviews of seven elementary school teachers were collected before and after a two‐year MEd programme in which the teachers were involved. The Defining Issues Test (DIT) (a test of cognitive moral development) was also given before and after the programme and the relation between teachers’ understanding and developmental levels assessed. The findings of this study indicate that these teachers had different ways of understanding the idea of individualized instruction and that their understanding could be grouped into two broad categories. Further, there was a positive relation between the two categories and cognitive developmental levels measured on the DIT. This relation held true for both the pre‐ and post‐programme data. The paper discusses alternative interpretations and implications of these findings.
Mechanics of Random Discontinuous Long-Fiber Thermoplastics—Part I: Generation and Characterization of Initial Geometry

The deformation mechanics of dry networks of large-aspect-ratio fibers with random orientation controls the processing of long-fiber thermoplastics (LFTs) and greatly affects the mechanical properties of the final composites. Here, we generate initial geometries of fiber networks in a cubic unit cell with a fiber aspect ratio of l/d = 100 and fully periodic boundary conditions for later numerical simulation. The irreversible random sequential adsorption (RSA) process is first used to generate a quasi-random structure due to the excluded-volume requirements. In order to investigate the nonequilibrium character of the RSA, a second method, which is similar to the mechanical contraction method (MCM) (Williams and Philipse, 2003, “Random Packings of Spheres and Spherocylinders Simulated by Mechanical Contraction,” Phys. Rev. E, 67, pp. 1–9) and based on a simplified Metropolis Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is then developed to produce quasi-equilibrium fiber geometries. The RSA packing results (ϕ ≈ 4.423% when using a fiber aspect ratio of 100) are in good agreement with the maximum unforced random packing limits (Evans and Gibson, 1986, “Prediction of the Maximum Packing Fraction Achievable in Randomly Oriented Short-Fibre Composites,” Compos. Sci. Technol., 25, pp. 149–162). The fiber structures were characterized by several distribution functions, including pair-spatial and pair-orientation distributions, based on either the center-to-center distance or the shortest distance between the particles. The results show that the structures generated by the RSA have an easily-detectable long-range spatial correlation but very little orientational correlation. In contrast, the quasi-equilibrium structures have reduced spatial correlation but increased short-range orientational correlation.
How we talk when we talk about nano: The future in laypeople's talk

Abstract Nanotechnology is an example of postnormal technoscience ‘in the making’: its concrete products and applications are currently only starting to trickle into the marketplace. In this paper I use nanotechnology as a case to examine how uncertain technoscientific futures are represented in lay talk. I engage with this question through a close analysis of focus group discussion around nanotechnology, describing the cultural and linguistic resources that participants draw upon in doing this, including personal experience and expertise, analogies and comparisons, and fiction and popular culture. These are, I suggest, the key discursive tools with which laypeople can weigh up and evaluate emerging technologies. However, I also argue that these are used flexibly to create different kinds of arguments in different conversational contexts, and use the example of nanotechnology as ‘the same’/’different’ to illustrate this. In concluding I reflect on the implications of these findings for scholars of public opinion and attitude and for those who frame policy on emerging and uncertain science and technology.
Perception and Creativity in Clothing.

152 college women were administered perception and creativity measures developed to test relationships between aspects of such performance in areas of clothing. The hypothesized relationships betwe...
The Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study: An Analysis of Exposures, Sources, and Risks Associated with Four Volatile Organic Chemicals:

N 1979, THE U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began a long-term series of studies I known generically as the Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) studies. TEAM studies have been carried out in about a dozen U.S. cities and have involved more than 2000 participants. Since the participants were selected using a strict probabilistic sampling frame, they actually represent a much larger population, perhaps 3 million U.S. citizens in all. These studies have been carried out on three pollutants or groups of pollutants: volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), and pesticides. In this paper, I will limit my attention to the studies of VOCs. The CO studies have been published as EPA and as journal articles.(3,4) The final report on the pesticide studies have not yet been published, although one article on the nine-home pilot study has been published(5) and a progress report on the main study is available.c6) Perhaps the major contribution of the TEAM studies has been their emphasis on the following two concepts:
Feeding augments canine jejunal absorption via a hormonal mechanism

The aim of this study was to determine whether hormones mediate the postprandial increase in absorption of water, glucose, and electrolytes that occurs in the canine jejunum. In four dogs, a 75-cm isolated loop of jejunum was extrinsically denervated by autotransplantation. After recovery, the loop was perfused at 2.8 ml/min with an isotonic solution of 130 mM glucose, 80 mM NaCl, and trace amounts of [14C]PEG. Mean transit times through the loop were assessed concurrently with 0.5-ml boluses of [3H]PEG. Experiments were performed during fasting and after an oral meal of 200 g liver. Under steady-state conditions, net absorption of water, glucose, sodium, and chloride was greater after feeding than during fasting. In contrast, mean transit times were nearly identical during fasting and after feeding. We concluded that the augmentation of jejunal absorption of water, glucose, and the electrolytes after feeding was brought about by mechanisms other than alterations in transit time or effects induced via the extrinsic nerves. The augmentation appeared to be mediated, in part, by hormones.
Dynamic optimistic interprocedural analysis: a framework and an application

In this paper, we address the problem of dynamic optimistic interprocedural analysis. Our goal is to build on past work on static interprocedural analysis and dynamic optimization by combining their advantages. We present a framework for performing dynamic optimistic interprocedural analysis. the framework is designed to be used in the context of dynamic class loading and dynamic compilation, and includes mechanisms for event notification (on class loading and method compilation) and dependence tracking (to enable invalidation of optimistic assumptions). We illustrate the functionality of the framework by using it to be used in the context of dynamic class loading and dynamic compilation, and includes mechanisms for event notification (on class loading and method compilaton) and dependence tracking (to enable invalidation of optimistic assumptions). We illustrate the functionality of the framework by using it to implement a dynamic optimistic interprocedural type (DOIT) analysis algorithm. The DOIT algorithm uses a new global data structure called the Value Graph. The framework and DOIT analysis of the IBM Jalapeno Java virtual machine. Our experimental results for the SPECjvm benchmarks and two larger programs show promising benefits due to dynamic optimistic analysis. Compared to pessimistic analysis, the reduction in number of methods and fields analyzed was in the 2.7x-4.6x and 1.6-2.4x ranges respectively. The average fraction of polymorphic virtual calls decreased from 39.5% to 24.4% due to optimistic analysis, with a best-case decrease from 47.0% to 8.1%. The average fraction of polymorphic interface calls decreased from 96.4% to 36.2% due to optimistic analysis, with a best-case decrease from 100.0% to 0.0%. These benefits were obtained with a low dynamic analysis overhead in the range of 570-930 bytecode bytes/millisecond (about 2.5x-5.4x faster than the Jalapeno baseline compiler)
The primary productivity of marine macrophytes from a rocky intertidal community

This study represents the first report of primary production rates for Southern California intertidal producers. The production rates of 18 marine macrophytes near Wilson Cove, San Clemente Island, are close to those for other marine algal communities. No apparent relationship was revealed between the productivity of an alga and the division to which it belongs; however, productivity was associated with growth form. Encrusting prostrate forms were the lowest producers in terms of g C/m2/h and g C/g dry weight/h; sheet-like and finely-branched forms showed a greater productivity than coarsely-branched forms. Gelidium pusillum and Ulva californica had considerably greater production rates than the other algae measured.
The effects of glucose and amino acids on tumor and host DNA synthesis

Abstract Tumor-bearing animals provided with intravenous glucose and amino acids (TPN) exhibit enhanced response to S-phase-specific chemotherapeutic agents (H. M. Reynolds, J. M. Daly, B. Rowlands, S. J. Dudrick, and E. M. Copeland. Cancer 45 : 3069, 1980; M. H. Torosian, J. L. Mullen, E. E. Miller, et al. J. Parenter. Enteral Nutr. 7: 337, 1983). To determine the mechanism of this response, DNA synthesis rate during starvation or a 48-hr infusion of glucose/amino acids (Glu/AA) was evaluated in tumor, liver, and terminal ileal cells of 68 rats. Tumor cells exhibited a rapid increase in DNA synthesis following the initiation of an infusion of Glu/AA. This increase was most marked after 2 hr of infusion and returned to control levels within 24 hr. Liver DNA synthesis rate increased in both starved and Glu/AA animals over 48 hr with a larger increase in animals receiving Glu/AA. Ileal DNA synthesis decreased equally in both groups. Short pulse Glu/AA produced transient increases in tumor DNA synthesis. Changes in host tissues occurred but followed a different temporal sequence. This may indicate the existence of a period of time following initiation of metabolic manipulation when tumor susceptibility to phase-specific chemotherapeutic agents will be enhanced while host tissues will be spared from increased toxicity.
Cardiac vagolytic action of some neuromuscular blockers

Cardiac vagolytic effect of four commonly used neuromuscular blockers, (viz. D-tubocurarine, decamethonium, pancuronium and gallamine) was compared in midcollicular decerebrate rats. The intravenous doses of neuromuscular blockers used (d-tubocurarine: 0.1 mg/kg; decamethonium: 2 mg/kg; pancuronium: 0.1 mg/kg; gallamine: 20 mg/kg) were sufficient to produce the paralysis of respiratory muscles. Bradycardia was induced by electrical stimulation of the vagus or by injecting dimethyl-phenyl-piperazinium (DMPP; a ganglionic stimulant). It was observed that d-tubocurarine and decamethonium were devoid of cardiac vagolytic action. On the other hand, pancuronium and gallamine inhibited significantly the bradycardia induced by electrical stimulation of the vagus or injection of DMPP; gallamine was found to have greater vagolytic action. The pressor responses to DMPP were not attenuated by pancuronium and gallamine indicating that in the dose administered, these agents did not block the ganglia. Bradycardia induced by the administration of acetylcholine in the left atrium was also attenuated by pancuronium and gallamine suggesting that the drugs produce cardiac vagolytic action by acting on the post-synaptic cholinergic receptors of the heart.
Rubella and pregnancy: failed prevention policies

Abstract Objective: Postpartum rubella immunization can prevent 33–50% of all cases of congenital rubella. Our purpose was to assess missed opportunities for postpartum rubella vaccination. Methods: A retrospective prenatal record review of 304 women attending a high risk obstetrics clinic was done. The rubella status on the first prenatal visit was recorded. Rubella status was determined by immunoassay (ELISA) and reported as immune, uncertain, or nonimmune. For rubella nonimmune women their ethnicity, age, parity, and place of delivery were recorded. Results: Fifteen (4.9%) of the 304 women were nonimmune to rubella. Of the 15 women, 6 were white, 4 were Afro-American, and 5 were Hispanic. The mean age was 30.1 ± 6.2 y (range 20–42 y). Thirteen had given birth at least once (range 1–4), while two were nulliparous. Eleven of the 13 women gave birth in the USA, while two gave birth in South America. These eleven women gave birth 20 times without receiving rubella counseling or vaccination. Conclusion: Recommendation for postpartum rubella vaccination of nonimmune women should be adhered to in order to decrease the risk of congenital rubella syndrome.
Emotional intelligence skills: the building blocks of defence against emotional labour burnout

We examined the moderating role of the four emotional intelligence components on the emotional labour perceptions – burnout relationship. Several hypotheses were tested to evaluate the relationship between subject emotional labour perceptions and burnout. Specifically, we hypothesised that emotional intelligence abilities alleviated burnout related to emotional labour perceptions. The results supported some of the hypothesised relationships, and we found that some emotional intelligence abilities were effective in moderating the relationship between emotional labour perceptions and burnout. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
Taking a Developmental Perspective on Systems Biology

Developmental biologists understand how different cells contribute to organ function and how cellular components work together to produce a phenotype. These insights need to be more widely applied to systems biology. Another challenge is to incorporate real-time imaging and develop computational approaches to model biological phenomena in four dimensions.