cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of technology trends: making a case for architectural adaptation in custom datapaths

The paper presents an analysis of technology trends based on the data available from the recently released National Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (NTRS 1997). This analysis shows that increasing clock rates and system diameter in clock periods will make efficient management of communication and coordination increasingly critical. Due to the decreasing cost of logic versus interconnect and the electrical necessity of signal regeneration to counter worsening effect of interconnect geometries, use of configurable logic blocks even in custom data-paths presents a unique opportunity to customize bindings, mechanisms, and policies which comprise the interaction of processing, memory, I/O and communication resources. This programming flexibility, or `customizability,' can provide the key to achieving robust high performance. We use the results of this study to make a case for evolution of computer architectures into `Application Adaptive' (AA) architectures. These architectures exploit the capability of the underlying hardware to reconfigure logic to achieve system-level cost/performance goals by extensive analysis and profiling of application data and runtime characteristics. A key distinction made by AA architectures against traditional custom-computing machines is that architectural flexibility is used to customize architectural mechanisms and policies (instead of building additional functional resources--an approach commonly adopted by custom computing machines). Thus relatively small amounts of reconfigurable circuit blocks can be leveraged to yield high performance on a per application basis.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Benzodiazepine receptors: preferential stimulation of Type 1 receptors by pentobarbital.

Abstract The binding of [ 3 H]flunitrazepam (FLU) to Type 1 and Type 2 benzodiazepine receptors in rat cerebellum and cerebral cortex was differentiated by the addition of 200 nM CL218,872 which preferentially displaces [ 3 H]FLU from Type 1 receptors. Type 1 but not Type 2 receptors binding was significantly stimulated by 1 mM sodiu pentobarbital.
A multiple baseline analysis of treatment for heroin addiction.

Abstract The effects and side effects of behavioral treatment for heroin abuse was assessed in a multiple baseline across behaviors design. Self-reported urges to take heroin, urine drug screens, assertiveness in rejecting efforts of drug pushers, and financial status were measured throughout the study. After baseline measures were taken on all responses, covert sensitization was begun, which decresed drugs urges and was associated with abstinence from drug use and positive change in assertiveness. However, extended baseline estimates of financial status indicated the client's liabilities were reliably increasing. Behavioral contracting was then implemented successfully influencing work behavior and paying back debts. Daily follow-up measures of drug use were assessed over a three month period, with no change in drug urges or use. A six month follow-up indicated no changes in drug urges or use, and the client was financially independent and employed in a responsible job. The results indicate the independence of reducing drug use and increasing some pro-social behaviors, and support the necessity of programs designed to decrease maladaptive while increasing adaptive behavior.
Time Evolution Of Beach Tar, Oil Slicks, And Seeps In The Coal Oil Point Seep Field, Santa Barbara Channel, California

ABSTRACT Linking beach tar with sources in a complex natural marine seepage area presents numerous challenges. Efforts at Coal Oil Point (COP), CA included beach tar distribution surveys, oil slick tracking, sampling, and chemical analysis, underwater scuba surveys, aerial surveys, and numerical modeling. Despite a wind from the east and current to the west, a slick was tracked initially north from its source, presumably due to spreading, then it drifted east, ending in a kelp bed off COP. Sample chromatograms showed mixing with another oil slick by the appearance of a heavier series of n-alkane peaks where the trajectory changed direction. Trajectory simulations suggested that interface currents were poorly described by parameterizations of wind and surface currents, and/or the existence of small-scale circulations not resolved by CODAR or the drift buoy. Detailed tar accumulation surveys covered 175-m (4400 m2) of COP beach where tar accumulation generally is greatest. Maximum total beach tar observed w...
Building change/damage detection in Seymen, Turkey, using ERS SAR data

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate and evaluate the feasibility of change and damage detection in urban environments after a disastrous earthquake using SAR data. Marmara earthquake occurred on August 17, 1999 with a magnitude of 7.4 and caused extensive urban damage in the northwestern region of Turkey. In a reconnaissance mission1, observation and ground truth of several locations in that area were made about fifty days after this earthquake. In this paper, town of Seymen (40 degree(s) 42' N latitude and 29 degree(s) 54' E longitude) is being focused. The city extensively suffered building damage with dominant mode of pancaking failure. The area of interest basically consisted of residential apartment buildings situated in large, open areas. Typically buildings are 6 stories moment resisting concrete frame structures with inclined roofs. Pancaking modes of failure were observed involving collapses ranging from one to three stories in most of the buildings. ERS SAR data (for before and after earthquake), Landsat images of the area and GPS readings of building corners are used in this research. Image processing and change detection algorithms, especially correlation and coherence maps are obtained from before and after SAR complex images. Implemented algorithms show valuable means for change detection and can indicate the location of building damages.
Geochemical engineering of low level radioactive waste in cementitious environments

Abstract Significantly reduced release of radionuclides from low level radioactive waste disposal facilities may be achieved by passively engineering the geochemical environment in and immediately adjacent to shallow land burial sites. Mineral growth and adsorption onto cementitious waste forms, casks, and backfills is calculated to minimize the transport of 234,238 U, 241 Pu, 241 Am, 232 Th, 59,63 Ni and 14 C. Reductive adsorption of Tc to Fe(II)-rich minerals may be engineered by emplacing a fine-grained mafic (basalt, serpentinite, scrap iron) blanket of aggregate below and around the LLRW repository. 90 Sr and 137 Cs transport into the biosphere may also be retarded due to adsorption on cementitious material, through scavenging by the Fe-oxyhydroxide weathering products of the mafic blanket, and by dilution.
Estimating the acceleration of transformer aging due to electric vehicle charging

This paper describes a method for estimating the additional aging in medium/low voltage distribution transformers caused by increasing demand from electric vehicle charging. The proposed method combines detailed travel demand data from the National Household Transportation Survey with a one-year model of transformer hottest spot temperature, based on on IEEE C57.91–1995 Annex G. To illustrate the the model outputs, we present results for 15kVA and 25kVA overhead distribution transformers using ambient temperatures from Burlington, VT and Los Angeles, CA. Our results illustrate the importance of ambient temperatures to impact of PEVs on transformer aging.
PLL modeling and verification in a cycle-simulation environment

Recent advances in technology, computer architecture, and automated design environments have ushered in a new era of computer design in which large complex servers such as the S/390 G5 Parallel Enterprise Server™ can be delivered with times to market once reserved for low-end systems such as single-user workstations and personal computers. Yet, the time to market is inversely proportional to customer demand for reliable and continuously available systems. Therefore, the need exists to build and simulate a complete system which incorporates realistic and accurate behavioral representations for all design components. This paper describes a method for modeling an analog phase-locked loop, interfacing it with digital sequential logic components, and simulating the entire system in a high-performance two-cycle simulation environment. Further discussion demonstrates the role this verification has played in the deployment of an improved design point with a shorter time to market compared to previous generations of S/390® CMOS machines.
Atomic Force Microscopy and Raman Spectroscopy Investigation of Additive Interactions Responsible for Anti-Wear Film Formation in a Lubricated Contact

Rational formulation of lubricants requires an understanding of additive interactions that impact antiwear film qualities such as thickness, topography, and friction. In an effort to understand the complex additive interactions responsible for formation of anti-wear and friction-reducing films, atomic force microscopy (AFM) in conjunction with Raman microscopy has been used to conduct a nanoscale investigation of the wear tracks formed by a high-frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR) in the presence of various commercial lubricant additives combinations. Of the additives examined, zinc dithiophosphate (ZnDTP)-based additives are found to be solely responsible for the formation of a thick (hundreds of nm) film that exhibits a pitted topography. Addition of a molybdenum-based friction modifier to the lubricant blend reduces the film thickness considerably and reacts to produce MoS 2 on the surface, suggesting an interaction with the zinc dithiophosphate–based additive that prevents antiwear film formation. Form...
Protein assay sensitive at nanogram levels

A simple, fast protein assay which utilizes the affinity of colloidal gold for proteins is described. This assay is sensitive at the 20-ng level when a visible light spectrophotometer is used to measure absorbance. Few chemicals interfere with the assay. Interfering reagents include those that are strongly alkaline, contain high levels of salt, or contain sodium dodecyl sulfate. The problem of alkaline interference can be overcome by acidifying the protein solution before performing the assay. Purified proteins have different capacities to interact with the colloidal gold but this variability is not greater than that seen with the Bradford protein assay.
Principal turnover and student achievement

Abstract Principals have important management roles, including responsibilities for teachers, curricula and budgets. Schools change principals frequently; about 20% of public school principals in the United States leave their positions each year. Despite the significance of principals and the regularity of principal departures, little is known about how turnover affects schools. Using twelve years of administrative data from North Carolina public schools, this paper explores the relationship between principal turnover and student achievement. Principal departures follow a downturn in student performance. Achievement continues to fall in the two years following the installation of a new principal and then rises over the next three years. Five years after a new principal is installed, average academic performance is no different than it was five years before the new principal took over. Increases in student achievement following a principal transition may reflect mean reversion rather than a positive effect of principal turnover.
Resolution of Michaelis Complex, Acylation, and Conformational Change Steps in the Reactions of the Serpin, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1, with Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Trypsin†

Michaelis complex, acylation, and conformational change steps were resolved in the reactions of the serpin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and trypsin by comparing the reactions of active and Ser 195-inactivated enzymes with site-specific fluorescent-labeled PAI-1 derivatives that report these events. Anhydrotrypsin or S195A tPA-induced fluorescence changes in P1'-Cys and P9-Cys PAI-1 variants labeled with the fluorophore, NBD, indicative of a substrate-like interaction of the serpin reactive loop with the proteinase active-site, with the P1' label but not the P9 label perturbing the interactions by 10-60-fold. Rapid kinetic analyses of the labeled PAI-1-inactive enzyme interactions were consistent with a single-step reversible binding process involving no conformational change. Blocking of PAI-1 reactive loop-beta-sheet A interactions through mutation of the P14 Thr --> Arg or annealing a reactive center loop peptide into sheet A did not weaken the binding of the inactive enzymes, suggesting that loop-sheet interactions were unlikely to be induced by the binding. Only active trypsin and tPA induced the characteristic fluorescence changes in the labeled PAI-1 variants previously shown to report acylation and reactive loop-sheet A interactions during the PAI-1-proteinase reaction. Rapid kinetic analyses showed saturation of the reaction rate constant and, in the case of the P1'-labeled PAI-1 reaction, biphasic changes in fluorescence indicative of an intermediate resembling the noncovalent complex on the path to the covalent complex. Indistinguishable K(M) and k(lim) values of approximately 20 microM and 80-90 s(-1) for reaction of the two labeled PAI-1s with trypsin suggested that a diffusion-limited association of PAI-1 and trypsin and rate-limiting acylation step, insensitive to the effects of labeling, controlled covalent complex formation. By contrast, differing values of K(M) of 1.7 and 0.1 microM and of k(lim) of 17 and 2.6 s(-1) for tPA reactions with P1' and P9-labeled PAI-1s, respectively, suggested that tPA-PAI-1 exosite interactions, sensitive to the effects of labeling, promoted a rapid association of PAI-1 and tPA and reversible formation of an acyl-enzyme complex but impeded a rate-limiting burial of the reactive loop leading to trapping of the acyl-enzyme complex. Together, the results suggest a kinetic pathway for formation of the covalent complex between PAI-1 and proteinases involving the initial formation of a Michaelis-type noncovalent complex without significant conformational change, followed by reversible acylation and irreversible reactive loop conformational change steps that trap the proteinase in a covalent complex.
A Story of Transformation Following Catastrophic Loss

The emotional impact following catastrophic loss is a highly individualized and personal experience. Such an experience may be life transforming and can significantly influence the course of one's emotional recovery. Through the gathering of story, a clearer understanding of the transformational experience may lead to more appropriate mental health support for those most in need. The purposes of this article are to share the author's 4-year autobiographical story following catastrophic loss from a house explosion and fire, to discuss the transpersonal perspective on transformation, and to offer the use of story for practice and research applications for persons experiencing catastrophic loss.
Tailored Testing, an Application of Stochastic Approximation

Abstract Some stochastic approximation procedures are considered in connection with the following problem. How shall we choose a sequence of test questions in order to estimate as accurately as possible a given examinee's standing on some psychological dimension? Illustrations are given evaluating certain procedures in a specific context.
Study on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Cold-Rolled C-Mn-Si-Al TRIP Steel

The effect of the partial substitution of Si by Al on the microstructures and the mechanical properties of cold rolled C-Mn-Si TRIP steel was investigated. The results show that the partial substitution of Si by Al could refine the microstructures, increase the volume fraction of ferrite and retained austenite. In addition, the excellent mechanical properties of the Al partial substituted TRIP steel could be obtained, the tensile strength, total elongation and strength-ductility of C-Mn-Si-Al TRIP steel are 739MPa, 38% and 28082MPa%, respectively.
Neonatal thoracoabdominal aortic thrombosis associated with the umbilical artery catheter: Successful management by transaortic thrombectomy

Abstract The case of a newborn infant who underwent a successful aortoiliac thrombectomy for thoracoabdominal aortic thrombosis induced by an umbilical artery catheter is presented. The case is notable both for the extent of the thrombotic process and the renal and cardiac failure noted initially. Only eight other attempts at neonatal aortic thrombectomy associated with umbilical artery catheters have been reported in the English language literature. Our experience, in addition to that in the literature, suggests that aggressive treatment should be considered in neonates with this severe complication. (J VASC SURG 1986;4:119-23.)
University and practice-based physicians' input on the content of a surgical curriculum.

Abstract Background: The specific surgical knowledge and skills students learn during surgical rotations are reconsidered in light of recent changes in medical school curricula. The purpose of this study was to determine the priorities of a surgical curriculum based on input from three groups: surgical faculty (SF), primary care faculty (PCF), and community-based, practicing primary care physicians (PCP). Methods: A questionnaire was developed in which SF (n = 54), PCF (n = 85), and PCP (n = 876) were asked to rank the importance of 145 areas of knowledge and 48 areas of clinical skills on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Responses were rank ordered by the mean of importance ratings for each group. Differences among groups were evaluated using ANOVA. Results: Response rates were best for faculty (100% SF, 88% PCF, 61% PCP). All three groups considered general surgery related topics and general skills very important. Primary care physicians and PCF consistently ranked otolaryngology, ophthalmology, and orthopedic topics and skills higher than did SF. Surgery faculty ranked invasive surgical procedures higher than did PCP while PCP ranked orthopedic procedural skills more highly. Conclusions: There is significant overlap among physicians about what medical students should learn during a surgical rotation. Differences between groups centered on surgical subspecialty knowledge and clinical skills. These results provide a broad perspective about required subjects for a core surgical clerkship curriculum, which should include surgical subspecialty training.
Pheochromocytoma Producing Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

The syndrome of watery diarrhea associated with hypokalemia and achlorhydria was originally described in 1958. Subsequently, this syndrome was shown to be caused by a neuroendocrine tumor secreting vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and such tumors are almost always pancreatic in origin. We describe the case of a 78-year-old woman with gradual onset of hypokalemia, watery diarrhea, and weight loss. After a left adrenal mass was discovered, the patient chose medical therapy over surgical intervention. Initially her condition responded, then gradually became refractory to medical therapy. She had elevated levels of VIP, pancreatic polypeptide, dopamine, and vanillylmandelic acid. Subsequently, the patient underwent surgical excision of the mass that was found to be a VIP-producing pheochromocytoma. After surgery her diarrhea subsided, and her electrolytes and affected neuroendocrine hormone levels normalized.
Watergate and Television: An Economic Analysis

This paper employs data from a "natural experiment," the televised coverage of the Senate Watergate hearings, to examine several hypotheses which have been advanced concerning television viewer behavior. This paper postulates a more general theory of audience preferences and develops a model to represent separate groups of viewer's with distinct preference orderings for program types. The results indicate that the previously proposed hypotheses-the "passive viewer" and "first choice only" hypotheses-concerning viewer behavior are deficient. These results also suggest that television viewing can be increased by the addition of new alternatives if they are sufficiently dissimilar to programs presently being shown. The programming decisions of the three networks can be represented as strategies in economic games involving audience-maximizing, loss-minimizing, and cost-minimizing payoffs. Collective action by the networks to provide rotated coverage, a departure from the usual practice of providing simultaneo...
TOR and Aging: Less Is More

Metabolism and mitochondrial activity are thought to be important determinants of life span. A new study in this issue of Cell Metabolism (Bonawitz et al., 2007) suggests that the TOR pathway controls mitochondrial respiration in yeast and that the harder mitochondria work, the longer yeast live.
Computer Studies of Orbits in High Energy Microtrons

This paper reports briefly several types of orbit calculations performed to study the feasibility and design features of a superconducting 600-MeV split microtron being planned for the University of Illinois. Programs have been written for the Illinois IBM7094 computer to study phase stability in the presence of magnetic field inhomogeneities, vertical defocusing produced by the magnet fringing fields, and axial and radial motion of electrons in the accelerating linac. Some of the calculations are described in a report which is available on request.
The decoding/spelling curriculum: integrated decoding and spelling instruction from pre-school to early secondary school

Decoding instruction is often thought of as an activity appropriate only for primary grade students. In addition, it is usually separate from spelling instruction, i.e. patterns that may be taught for decoding are not necessarily taught for spelling or found in words taught for spelling. Many students beyond the primary grades require on-going instruction for word analysis and spelling, especially as they meet multisyllabic words in their literature and textbooks beyond the middle primary years. These words often contain Latin and Greek roots and affixes. This paper describes a curriculum for the integrated teaching of decoding and spelling instruction useful for students in pre-school through early secondary school or higher. The framework for the curriculum and instruction is one based on both the structure or patterns in words (i.e. letter–sound correspondences, syllable patterns, and morpheme patterns) and the primary word origins found in English words (i.e. Anglo-Saxon, Latin, and Greek). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simple programming system (“driver”) for the creation and execution of an automated medical history

Abstract A simple and yet versatile method for automating medical history has been designed. The system uses a “driver” which is a program designed for the execution of a repetitive task that is entirely data independent. The driver not only directs the on-line interview, but is also capable of generating a narrative summary of the interview. The system also contains numerous utility functions which allow the user to manipulate his data base. The system has been used in various projects concerned with automated medical histories and other on-line interview-based projects. This driver has played a major role in the successful utilization of these forms of interactive computer applications.
A Study on Adaptability of the Engine Control Module of an Existing Heavy Duty Diesel Engine to Optimize the Engine Performance With F-T Diesel Fuel

Synthetic fuels produced from non-petroleum based feedstocks can effectively replace the depleting petroleum based conventional fuels while significantly reducing the emissions. The zero sulfur content and the near zero percentage of aromatics in the synthetic fuels make them promising clean fuels to meet the upcoming emissions regulations. However due to their significantly different properties when compared to the conventional fuels; the existing engines must be tested extensively to study their performance with the new fuels. This paper reports a detailed in-cylinder pressure measurement based study made on adaptability of the engine control module (ECM) of a modern heavy duty diesel engine to optimize the engine performance with the F-T diesel fuel. During this study, the F-T and Conventional diesel fuels were tested at different loads and various injection timing changes made with respect to the manufacturer setting. Results from these tests showed that the ECM used significantly different injection timings for the two fuels in the process of optimizing the engine performance. For the same power output the ECM used a 2° advance in the injection timing with respect to the manufacturer setting at the full load and 1° retard at the no load condition. While the injection timings used by the ECM were same for both the fuels at the 50% load condition. However, a necessity for further changes in the control strategies used by the ECM were observed to get the expected advantages with the F-T fuels.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Start on Success: A Model Transition Program for High School Students With Disabilities

Employers provide jobs to people with disabilities at a much lower rate than the general population. Federal legislation requires schools to (a) work with students and parents to develop transition plans and (b) plan for students' employment after graduation. It is unfortunate that transition plans do not necessarily translate into successful employment. Students with disabilities need community-based education to learn the academic, social, and vocational skills necessary for success in today's society. In this article, the authors describe the Start on Success program as a model transition program that provides students with a community-based transition from school to work in a supported environment with support from the school district, mentors, parents, and a local university.
Information literacy barriers: language use and social structure

Purpose – This paper aims to examine barriers to information literacy (IL), including: language use, social structures, and the neutrality‐advocacy dilemma.Design/methodology/approach – In this paper critical analysis is used to discuss: effect of language used on audience reach; cognitive locus assumptions in IL standards and oversight on structural factors; opportunities for libraries to overcome IL barriers. Arguments are substantiated with theories and research from sociology, psychology, and education.Findings – Effective diffusion of IL depends on using common language and being relevant to learners. However, knowledge differences between librarians and the public can make finding common language challenging. Additionally, by assuming information illiteracy in people, the term may convey negative‐evaluation, which may negatively affect learners' sense of competence and motivation for learning, and result in ineffective learning. Extracurricular/civic activities in schools are rich settings for effec...
Detection of minelike targets in heavily cluttered environments using the MNF transform and grayscale morphological image reconstruction

We consider the problem of detecting minelike targets, imaged by means of multispectral sensors, that have been heavily corrupted by clutter. An effective detection approach needs to take into consideration the high correlation that is often present among bands in multispectral images and be robust against clutter. To this end, we here propose a two-step target detection approach. In particular, we first employ the Maximum Noise Fraction transform, in conjunction with vector-morphology, in order to reduce the effect of clutter and enhance the presence of targets. We then discuss a target detection algorithm, based on a morphological image reconstruction/marker fusion approach. We apply this algorithm to the problem of detecting minelike targets present in six-band aerial images, provided to us by the Coastal Systems Station, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City, Florida. The proposed technique is relatively simple and requires only approximate knowledge of target size.
Transesophageal Doppler echocardiographic monitoring for malperfusion during aortic dissection repair.

Abstract The present case of cardiopulmonary bypass malperfusion demonstrates the usefulness of transesophageal Doppler echocardiographic monitoring during repair of acute aortic dissection.
The effects of 2-chloroprocaine on coagulation and fibrinolysis in the parturient: an in vitro study

Amide local anesthetics are known to inhibit coagulation. 2-chloroprocaine is the only ester agent used in obstetric anesthesia. It is used during obstetric emergencies, and also to supplement inadequate epidural block produced by amide local anesthetics. There is no study to date that has evaluated the effect of ester local anesthetics on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis in the parturient. In this study, we obtained blood samples from healthy, term-parturients and mixed them with varying amounts of 2-chloroprocaine for final concentrations ranging from 0.26 to 7.8 mM. Thromboelastograph® was used to study the coagulation profile of these samples. Chloroprocaine impaired coagulation in a dose dependent manner, with increased R and K, and decreased MA and α. The difference, when compared to saline controls, reached statistical significance at a dose of 7.8 mM. An additional significant finding was that 2-chloroprocaine also enhanced fibrinolysis. Amide local anesthetics are known to impair coagulation, but 2-chloroprocaine produced significant fibrinolysis in addition to decreasing coagulation. This is the first study to date to demonstrate fibrinolytic properties of an ester local anesthetic. Further study evaluations are required to determine the cause of the variation in fibrinolysis. There is also a need to address the mechanism of increased fibrinolysis observed with 2-chroloprocaine.
Nocturnal asthma: approach to the patient.

Nocturnal asthma can be diagnosed by asking patients whether they awaken at night with asthmatic symptoms and feel the need to use an aerosol bronchodilator. The primary objective in treating nocturnal asthma is to help patients sleep through the night. The bronchoconstriction that underlies nocturnal asthmatic symptoms is a reflection of bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and this hyperresponsiveness is greatly increased by airway inflammation. In patients with allergic asthma, airway inflammation can be reduced by reducing exposure to allergens and, in some cases, by immunotherapy. Nocturnal bronchoconstriction is best controlled by scheduling sustained-release bronchodilators, particularly theophylline, to provide the maximal theophylline blood concentration at the time of maximal obstruction, usually between 4:00 and 6:00 A.M.
Problem-based learning in an introductory computer engineering course

As systems increase in complexity and technology advances, curriculum and laboratories are challenged to keep pace. This is especially true in computer engineering, which has seen dramatic growth in the scope and diversity of computer-based systems. One of the key challenges is developing the educational context for the new technologies, which are being encountered earlier and earlier in a student's program of study. Problem-based learning has been central to engineering education, and it is particularly relevant to the integration of new system design concepts and technologies into introductory courses. In this paper, we describe steps taken at Iowa State University to revitalize a sophomore level course in embedded systems by addressing the type and extent of problem-based learning used in the course. Our goal was to develop a more interesting and relevant integrated classroom/laboratory experience for the students. We present the revisions in terms of the "3C5I" model, which creates an educational context based on Concepts within Courses within a Curriculum (3C), and in each, progressing along the five "Is" of Introduction, Illustration, Instruction, Investigation, and Implementation. Problem-based learning may extend through to either Investigation or Implementation, and in each case, to differing degrees, depending on the scope of the problem. In the revised class, we use both, with a real-world theme guiding weekly labs that culminate as parts of a final project. We examine student learning and experiences with the thematic labs as well as the effects of several other changes such as competitive programming exercises and alternative evaluation methods.
Greenhouse gas emissions from coal gasification power generation systems

Life cycle assessments (LCA) of coal gasification-based electricity generation technologies for emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), principally CO2, are computed. Two approaches for computing LCAs are compared for construction and operation of integrated coal gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plants: a traditional process-based approach, and one based on economic input-output analysis named Economic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment (EIO-LCA). It is shown that EIO-LCA provides a more complete accounting for emissions incurred during construction resulting in larger estimates of emissions. For plant construction process-based LCA computes emissions that approximate a subset of emissions computed via the EIO-LCA method. For plant operation, however, only emissions due to mining and consumption of coal at the plant are significant, and both methods of analysis give essentially equivalent results. For conventional coal-based power generators, and even for those that would capture 90% of carbon emissions, GHG emissions during a typical operating life of 30-50 years dominate the life cycle. Literature values for life cycle emissions of GHGs for a number of renewable technologies are compared to emissions from IGCC systems with and without carbon capture and from natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) without capture. Lowest life cycle emissions are achieved with dammed hydro power and wind farms. IGCC with 90% CO2 capture exhibits lower life cycle GHG emissions than NGCC and solar photovoltaic systems.
How much is too much? Learning and motivation effects of adding instructional explanations to worked examples

A central goal of the learning sciences is to discover principles that determine the optimal amount of instructional assistance to support robust learning (Koedinger & Aleven, 2007). We examined learning outcomes from providing and withholding stepwise instructional explanations as students studied worked examples and solved physics problems. We hypothesized that students would acquire more conceptual knowledge from withholding instructional explanations because they would be more likely to engage in constructive cognitive activities to understand the problem-solving steps, whereas providing instructional explanations might suppress such activities. Furthermore, we examined the roles of prior knowledge and student motivation in determining learning outcomes. Across three experiments, students in the withholding conditions showed greater conceptual learning than students in the providing conditions. Additionally, achievement goal orientations were more predictive of learning for the withholding conditions than the providing conditions. We discuss how the interactions between prior knowledge, motivation, and instruction can support learning and transfer.
Chronic disease care

Insights from managed care in the United States will help the NHS Two papers in this issue of BMJ examine developments in the management of chronic illness in the United States and explore their potential relevance to recent NHS initiatives and policies.1 2 A new King's Fund study of the care of chronically ill people in five leading US managed care organisations, summarised in the paper by Dixon et al (p 220), provides several observations and insights of relevance to new NHS initiatives targeting care of chronic illness.1 The authors conclude that the success of these organisations relates to five factors, which serve as the basis for their recommendations for NHS action. With some minor exceptions, I believe that their observations and recommendations are on target and worthy of serious consideration by policy makers in the United Kingdom. The investigators were struck by the intensity of market forces in US health care and although these contributed to variability, excesses, and doctors' discontent, they came away convinced that market forces pushed organisations to improve their quality.3 4 This is debatable. The perceived lack of a compelling business case for …
Does The Aging Of The Population Really Drive The Demand For Health Care

In the debate on health policy, it is widely believed that the aging of the U.S. population is a major driver of the annual growth in the demand for health care and in national health spending. This essay draws on the research literature and on data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (MEPS) to debunk that myth. Although in any year per capita health spending for people age sixty-five or older tends to average three to five times that for younger Americans, the aging of the population is too gradual a process to rank as a major cost driver in health care.
Toward a process-based molecular model of SiC membranes: III. Prediction of transport and separation of binary gaseous mixtures based on the atomistic reactive force field

The atomistic model of amorphous silicon-carbide membrane that was developed in Parts I and II of this series is utilized in nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study transport and separation of equimolar gaseous mixtures H_2/CO_2 and H_2/CH_4 in the membrane at high temperatures. We simulated membranes with up to about 39 nm in thickness, containing up to 170,000 atoms, and up to 100 ns to obtain reliable statistics. The effect of parameters such as the temperature, the applied pressure drop across the system, and the membrane׳s thickness on the separation properties was studied. The trends in the dependence of the separation factor on the membrane׳s thickness are consistent with experiments, namely the separation factor increases with the thickness up to an optimal value, beyond which it remains constant, or may even decrease. The dependence of the computed separation factor on the membrane׳s thickness is used in conjunction with the experimental values of the separation factor to estimate the thickness of actual membranes. The results are in agreement with the experimental data, demonstrating the value of MD simulations with a reactive force field for characterizing the properties of complex amorphous films, and flow and transport therein.
Analysis of a concentrated winding induction machine for adjustable speed drive applications. I. Motor analysis

The performance of multiphase machines designed for operation with static power converters is investigated. The winding distributions are intentionally rectangular to better accommodate the rectangular waveforms of solid-state inverters. Equations which define the transient as well as steady-state behavior, including the computation of all machine inductances, are derived. In deriving these equations the space harmonics are specifically included. Equations for calculation of terminal voltages and electromagnetic torque are modified to account for nonsinusoidal air-gap-flux distributions. A conventional three-phase induction motor including the effect of space harmonics is simulated. >
Body fatness as a cause of cancer: epidemiologic clues to biologic mechanisms

Carrying excess body fat is a leading cause of cancer. Epidemiologic evidence gives strong clues about the mechanisms that link excess adiposity to risk for several cancer sites. For postmenopausal breast cancer and endometrial cancer, the hyper-estrogenic state that is induced by excess body fatness is the likely cause. For esophageal cancer and gallbladder cancer, chronic local inflammation induced by acid reflux and gallstones is the likely cause, and for liver cancer, local inflammation induced by hepatic fatty infiltration is the likely cause. However, for several other cancers known to be associated with excess adiposity, including cancers of the colon, pancreas, ovary, kidney, and prostate, specific causes are not known. Possible candidates include elevated systemic or local tissue inflammation induced by adiposity and effects of the elevated levels of leptin, insulin, IGFs, and depressed immune function that are seen with excess adiposity. There is growing evidence that intentional weight loss not only reduces circulating levels of cancer-associated factors but that it also reduces cancer incidence and recurrence. Better research is needed to understand the mechanisms that link excess body fat to cancer risk as well as to understand the amount of weight loss needed for substantial cancer risk reduction. Finally, as we develop better understanding of the mediators of the effects of excess body fatness on cancer risk, we should identify pharmacologic interventions that target those mediators so that they can be used to complement weight loss in order to reduce cancer risk.
Dustborne and airborne fungal propagules represent a different spectrum of fungi with differing relations to home characteristics

Background: Exposure to fungi is often assessed by culturing floor dust or air samples. Our objective was to evaluate the relationships between dustborne and airborne fungi and to identify factors that modify these relationships. Methods: From November 1994 to September 1996 sequential duplicate 45-l air samples were collected in bedrooms of 496 homes in the Boston area, using a Burkard culture plate sampler. After air sampling, bedroom floors were sampled with a vacuum cleaner that was modified to collect dust in a cellulose extraction thimble. Dust was sieved, and the fine dust was dilution-plated onto DG-18 media. Results: Concentrations of total culturable fungi per gram of bedroom-floor dust were correlated weakly, but significantly, with those of indoor air (r = 0.13, P < 0.05). Concentrations of some individual taxa in the dust and indoor air were also weakly associated. Adjusting for the concentrations of fungi in outdoor air, dustborne fungal concentrations were positively associated with those in indoor air for the taxa Cladosporium and Penicillium, but not for total fungi. The indoor air fungal levels were often predicted by different covariates to those predicting fungal levels in dust. The type of housing (house or apartment) and the presence of carpeting were often predictive factors for dust fungi. In contrast, outdoor fungal levels were often predictive of the indoor air fungal levels. Conclusions: Because our data do not indicate a strong overall relationship between culturable fungi in dust and indoor air, the results from these two methods (dust and air sampling) likely represent different types of potential fungal exposures to residents. It may be essential to collect both air and dust samples, as well as information on housing characteristics, as indicators for fungal exposure.
Impression recovery of PMMA

Impression recovery in which the deformation temperature is the same as recovery temperature is studied for the first time. PMMA is deformed by impression above the glass transition temperature to a depth of less than 0.3 mm and recovered at the same temperature. Almost complete recovery of dimension is observed every time. The dimensional changes obey second order kinetics and the temperature dependence of the rate constant shows two consecutive processes with activation energies 440 kJ/mole (between 104 and 113 °C) and 95 kJ/mole (between 113 and 140 °C). Two pairs of defects of opposite signs are believed to be involved in the dimensional recovery processes.
Kinetics and Extent of T Cell Activation as Measured with the Calcium Signal

Summary We have characterized the calcium response of a peptide‐major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-specific CD4 1 T lymphocyte line at the single cell level using a variety of ligands, alone and in combination. We are able to distinguish four general patterns of intracellular calcium elevation, with only the most robust correlating with T cell proliferation. Whereas all three antagonist peptides tested reduce the calcium response to an agonist ligand, two give very different calcium release patterns and the third gives none at all, arguing that ( a ) antagonism does not require calcium release and ( b ) it involves interactions that are more T cell receptor proximal. We have also measured the time between the first T cell‐antigen-presenting cell contact and the onset of the calcium signal. The duration of this delay correlates with the strength of the stimulus, with stronger stimuli giving a more rapid response. The dose dependence of this delay suggests that the rate-limiting step in triggering the calcium response is not the clustering of peptide‐MHC complexes on the cell surface but more likely involves the accumulation of some intracellular molecule or complex with a half-life of a few minutes.
Microvascular endothelial cell death and rarefaction in the glucocorticoid-induced hypertensive rat.

Objective:The objective was to quantify and to describe microvascular endothelial cell death in glucocorticoid-induced hypertension. Microvascular rarefaction, which has been shown in human and animal hypertension, may result from increased endothelial cell apoptosis. Methods:Wistar rats were administered the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg b.w. per day, i.m.) for 5 days and were compared with a group of control rats treated with the vehicle. In vivomicrovascular endothelial cell death was quantified by propidium iodide fluorescent labeling in the mesentery. Normal nuclear DNA (labeled with Hoechst 33342) and DNA with apoptotic characteristics in muscle endothelium (labeled with ethidium bromide) were visualized using confocal imaging. Microvessel length density was measured by using a fluorescein isothyocyanate–labeled lectin technique. Results:The dexamethasone-treated rats exhibit approximately a 10% increase in cell death along the mesenteric arteriolar and venular endothelium compar...
Multi-Modal Biological Driver Monitoring via Ubiquitous Wearable Body Sensor Network

The objective of this paper is to introduce the design of the next generation driver monitoring platform to be facilitated in the semi-autonomous automotive system infrastructure. In the context of connected vehicles, this work extends current infrastructure to include real-time driver monitoring and feedback. Rather than leaving the driver out of the process, the goal is to obtain a vehicle where the degree of autonomy is continuously changed in real-time as a function of uncertainty ranges for driver biological state and behavior. The evolution and dissemination of mobile technology has created exceptional opportunities for highly detailed and personalized data collection in a far more granular and cost effective way. However, turning this potential into practice requires algorithms and methodologies to transform these raw data into actionable information. We have developed a robust driver monitoring platform consisting of automotive sensors (i.e. OBD-II) that capture the real-time information of the vehicle and driving behavior as well as a heterogeneous wearable body sensor network that collects the driver biometrics (e.g., electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG)). Accurate synchronization and storage of such multi-source heterogeneous data were also developed and validated. Finally, The task of characterizing driver distraction using EEG signals was investigated in two different road conditions as a proof of concept.