cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developing an enterprise information security policy

The University of Pittsburgh is at the midpoint of a three-year strategic plan focused on information technology. Our strategic direction is based on a tiered model consisting of these layers: network infrastructure, middleware, Web infrastructure, and the set of applications and services that can be provided to our user community. As applications and services become increasingly more complex, there is a greater potential for security breaches that must be adequately addressed.The ability for students and faculty to share data and collaborate on projects is of utmost importance to any higher education institution. A large, multidisciplinary institution such as the University of Pittsburgh must be able to find an effective balance between the need to provide people in the local, national, and international communities with access to information and the need to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access and misuse.The subject of information security has received a great deal of attention within academia before and after the events of September 11, 2001. Federal regulations such as the HIPAA legislation protecting patient data, the USA PATRIOT Act, and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act all have significant impact. The complexities involved in developing adequate security plans have resulted in the development of the ISO 17799 standard, used widely in security plan development.A University-wide security plan is under development that, when completed, will address security at all levels. This comprehensive security plan will cover policies, business practice changes, and user awareness concerns. This presentation focuses on the process that is underway to identify security issues and to design and implement a comprehensive security plan that maintains an open academic environment and fully addresses relevant legislation and best practice models.
Respiratory syncytial virus induces the expression of 5-lipoxygenase and endothelin-1 in bronchial epithelial cells.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection causes and exacerbates asthma, yet the mechanism by which RSV triggers asthma is poorly understood. Herein, anin vitromodel of RSV infection was established using HEp-2 and BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cell lines, and the expression of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), and endothelin-1 (ET-1) was examined. RSV infection increased the expression of 5-LO mRNA and protein in both cell lines, as detected by RT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. The levels of leukotrienes also increased in the supernatants of RSV infected cells. Furthermore, RSV infection increased the expression of ET-1 mRNA and protein following RSV infection in a time-dependent manner. It is concluded that RSV infection upregulates the expression of ET-1 and 5-LO in the epithelial cells leading to the production of leukotrienes, which may mediate the consequent exacerbation of asthma.
Pseudomonas-Induced Corneal Ulcers Associated with Contaminated Eye Mascaras

Seven Pseudomonas-induced corneal ulcers were associated with the use of four brands of mascara contaminated with P. aeruginosa. In laboratory studies, preservative systems of three of the four brands were inadequate in comparison with a control mascara of known antimicrobial activity. If the corneal epithelium is scratched during the application of mascara, particularly if the applicator is old, the cornea should be treated immediately and the mascara cultured to detect Pseudomonas. The high incidence of recurrent corneal ulceration in cases of Pseudomonas-induced keratitis indicates that initial chemotherapy should be intensive and maintained until the lesion stabilizes.
Miniature biofuel cells

The history of electrochemical power sources shows that batteries or fuel cells were introduced only when the development of new electrical or electronic system demanded these. At this time, the already established feasibility of miniaturization of implantable sensor-transmitter systems to volumes smaller than 1 mm3, and the demand for spatially and temporally resolved information on local temperature, flow, pressure and chemical concentrations, are likely to create a demand for a miniature, low cost glucose-O2 biofuel cell that would power the autonomous sensor–transmitters for a few weeks. Prototypes of these cells are in hand. Their most unique feature which is their structural simplicity, is made possible by the selectivity of their “wired” enzyme catalysts: the cells consist merely of two 7 μm diameter carbon fibers, each coated with a different “wired” enzyme bioelectrocatalyst. On one, catalyzing the two-electron electrooxidation of glucose at a reducing potential, glucose oxidase is co-immobilized in and electrically connected (“wired”) by an electron conducting hydrogel of a reducing redox potential. On the other, catalyzing the four electron electroreduction of O2 to water, bilirubin oxidase is co-immobilized in and electrically “wired” by an electron conducting hydrogel of an oxidizing potential. The cells are the smallest ever built. When the volume of the fibers is 0.0026 mm3, the current of the cell operating at 0.52 V in a physiological buffer solution at 37°C is 8.3 μA. The 4.3 μW power output of the cell is expected to suffice for the operation of implanted sensors and for the intermittent transmission of the data collected to an external receiver.
THE STATISTICS OF STATE-SPACES *

The state-space model is a general, powerful, and elegant representation of problem solving. Nevertheless, state-spaces have rarely been used to model realistic environments because conventional state-spaces are inherently deterministic, while the world is not. This paper extends the model toprobabilistic state-spaces (PSS), which elegantly capture many of the world's complexities by regarding state values as generated by random variables. These PSS models, when combined with decision analytic techniques for knowledge elicitation and encoding, should yield realistic representations. The first investigation of states based on random variables derived the expected-outcome model of two-player games, which led to some powerful results about game evaluators. Most of the work done on expected-outcome was quite general, and should extend easily beyond game-trees to arbitrary state-spaces. The second potential application domain, strategic planning for robot controllers in automated assembly plants, is currently under investigation.
Intelligent FRP retrofits for critical civil infrastructures

In this paper, the concept, modeling and preliminary testing of an intelligent FRP retrofit with self-monitoring capabilities for critical civil infrastructures are presented. This intelligent system is based on an easy-to-apply configuration of FRP pre-preg tapes with multiple stacked unidirectional layers of piezoelectric or SMA actuators and integrated optical fiber sensors. This intelligent retrofit will be able to not only monitor conditions including bonding of the FRP to the structure and opening of concrete cracks, but also minimize the crack opening and retard the progression of further FRP debonding. Towards this end, a computationally efficient two-dimensional shear stress-transfer model based on a simplified shear lag analysis is developed, with consideration of the fact that the stress transfer between the FRP, actuator and sensor layers in the intelligent system is complex. The effectiveness of this model is demonstrated through one numerical benchmark problem and one typical FRP configuration, with comparison of each to full threedimensional finite element models. The agreement between the two formulations is shown to be further improved by adjustment of the assumed shape functions. A preliminary experiment is also presented in which pre-fabricated optical fiber ribbons are embedded into the FRP strengthening of a full-scale concrete beam. Results from static loading test of the FRP strengthened beam show the feasibility of this technique for the self-monitoring FRP retrofits.
Variation in Chemical Composition of Oil Field Brines with Depth in Northern Louisiana and Southern Arkansas: Implications for Mechanisms and Rates of Mass Transport and Diagenetic Reaction: ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Dickey (1966, 1968) has pointed out that there is a nearly linear increase in total dissolved solids (TDS) content with depth in oil-field waters in areas of northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas. Similar relations exist in portions of east-central Louisiana and central Mississippi. A re-examination of brine analyses in the region shows that these linear increases in TDS are primarily the result of linear increases in Na and Cl concentrations with depth. Other dissolved components, such as Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, HCO3, SO4, and trace constituents can show more complex variations in concentration with depth. It is proposed here that the linear gradients for Na and Cl reflect the on-going, steady-state mass transport of these constituents upward from thousands of feet of depth to the near surface. Na and Cl concentrations at depths exceeding 8,000 to 10,000 ft (2438 to 3048 m) are maintained at constant high levels by the subsurface dissolution of halite. Low dissolved salt concentrations are maintained at the near surface by recharge of meteoric waters. The types of mass transport processes which could produce such nearly linear profiles are limited to molecular diffusion, thermal diffusion (Soret effect), and eddy diffusion. Preliminary estimates of fluxes and mass transport velocities which could result from these processes suggest sodium and chloride ions could be migrating upward at velocities approaching a centimeter per year. Non-linear but systematic variations in the concentrations of other components with depth may reflect the presence of local stratigraphic sources and sinks of material. Zones of depletion of dissolved calcium, for example, may represent areas of active precipitation of calcite. If the mass transport coefficients for these non-conservative components can be estimated, then limits can be put on the absolute rates of on-going diagenetic processes. Of considerable interest is the possibility that dissolved or entrained hydrocarbons are also involved in active vertical migration. The systematic study of brine chemistry promises to provide important clues to the understanding of processes and rates of fluid migration and hydrocarbon migration in the region.
Structural similarity of glasses and melts relevant to petrological processes

High-temperature Ramun spectroscopic investigations of melts in the systems GeO2. Na2O-SiO2 and Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2 demonstrate the close structural relationships between melts and glasses. No coordination changes with temperature and no new anionic species have been observed in the melt relative to those in the glass. The relative concentration of different anionic units changes only slightly in the temperature range 100–1350 C. With increasing temperature, compositions with three-dimensionally connected structural units exhibit an intensity increase of a band characteristic of a defect in the network structure, but the network still remains essentially intact.
Some Notes on Speeding Up Certain Loops by Software, Firmware, and Hardware Means

Some ways of speeding up certain loops by software, firmware, and hardware means are discussed in this note. The importance of the inner loop calculation is emphasized and a simple, though as yet unused, programming technique is presented whereby the inner loop time may be reduced by approximately 20 percent. The general problem of a program with many loops is then considered and a method is indicated for obtaining the maximum speedup by means of the technique described earlier. Turning to firmware, it is shown how, by altering the normal algorithm used for the inner loop calculation, a very substantial speedup can be achieved with the use of microprogramming (above and beyond the savings in instruction decoding time). Finally, a means is considered whereby a computer can alter its own hardware, so as to achieve a speedup of several orders for loops in which the resolution of decision tables accounts for a significant portion of the iteration time.
Transfer RNA synthesis, methylation, and thiolation in Escherichia coli cells infected with phage T2

Abstract Guanine-labeled tRNA from T2-phage-infected Escherichia coli cells hybridizes with T2 phage DNA. An estimate suggests that there are at least three sites in the phage genome coding for tRNA. Hybridization of guanine-labeled E. coli tRNA with E. coli DNA is also assessed, with the result that approx. 0.1% of the E. coli genome is complementary to tRNA. A method is presented for studying tRNA methylation in phage-infected cells by comparing methyl-pulse-labeled tRNA from infected and uninfected cells by double labeling and reversed phase column chromatography. The method can be used to indicate the tRNA species that are methylated under various experimental conditions. The results, when compared with some previously published data concerning tRNA synthesis in phage-infected cells, suggest that those species which are synthesized during infection are the principal species methylated. An analogous method is developed for studying thiolation of tRNA by means of 35 S labeling. 35 S is rather uniformly distributed in tRNA from uninfected cells as it is resolved by reversed phase column chromatography. The elution of 35 S in tRNA pulse labeled during T2 phage infection has a different pattern, which is also different from the elution of either methyl or guanine-pulse-labeled tRNA from infected cells. One striking similarity in all three patterns of elution suggests that some of the tRNA that is synthesized and methylated during infection is also thiolated.
Creating and Experimenting with Fire Gel, an Inexpensive and Readily Prepared Insulating Material

A method is described to make Fire Gel, an insulating material that consists of water and a superabsorbent polymer. Fire Gel can be used to demonstrate how stunt persons protect themselves from the flame of a fire. A comparison of this Fire Gel demonstration with previously reported flame protection demonstrations allows for instructive discussion. Fire Gel is a useful, easily produced, and inexpensive alternative to the gel described in JCE Classroom Activity #107.
Best Practices in the Veterans Health Administration's MOVE! Weight Management Program

Background Obesity is a substantial problem in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). VHA developed and disseminated the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans to its medical facilities but implementation of the program has been variable. Purpose The objective was to explore variation in MOVE! program implementation to identify facility structure, policies, and processes associated with larger patient weight-loss outcomes. Methods Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) was used to identify facility conditions or combinations of conditions associated with larger 6-month patient weight-loss outcomes. QCA is a method that allows for systematic cross-case comparison to better understand causal complexity. Eleven sites with larger outcomes and 11 sites with smaller outcomes were identified and data were collected with site interviews, facility-completed program summary forms, and medical record abstraction in 2009 and 2010. Conditions were selected based on theory and experience implementing MOVE! and were calibrated using QCA methods. Configuration patterns were examined to identify necessary conditions (i.e., always present when outcome present, but alone do not guarantee outcome) and sufficient conditions (i.e., presence guarantees outcome) at sites with larger and smaller outcomes. A thematic analysis of site interview data supplemented QCA findings. Results No two sites shared the same condition pattern. Necessary conditions included the use of a standard curriculum and group care-delivery format, and they were present at all sites with larger outcomes but at only six sites with smaller outcomes. At the 17 sites with both necessary conditions, four combinations of conditions were identified that accounted for all sites with larger outcomes. These included high program complexity combined with high staff involvement; group care-delivery format combined with low accountability to facility leadership; an active physician champion combined with low accountability to facility leadership; and the use of quality-improvement strategies combined with not using a waiting list. Conclusions The use of a standard curriculum delivered with a group care-delivery format is an essential feature of successful VHA facility MOVE! Weight Management Programs, but alone does not guarantee success. Program development and policy will be used to ensure dissemination of the best practices identified in this evaluation.
Magnetophoretic deposition of nanocomposites

This communication reports the novel idea of using a magnetic field gradient to hold magnetic nanoparticles at desired densities in a fixed location (e.g., on an electrode surface), while metal atoms are deposited electrochemically in the interstices between them. Using it, nanocomposites consisting of γ–Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles (with a mean size of about 40 nm) in a copper metal matrix were reproducibly fabricated, with particle volume fractions ranging from 0.2% to 50%. These nanocomposites, ceramic magnetic particles in a conductive metal matrix, are expected to have unusual or enhanced mechanical, electrical, and magnetic properties.
The contours and issues of contemporary apologetics

In this article, I examine five important components of the apologetic enterprise. Specifically, based on two biblical examples, I note that apologetics occurs within particular and broad cultural ...
Spatial point spread function with depth in two-photon microscopy

The spatial point spread function is studied for two-photon fluorescence imaging in turbid media. Using a Monte Carlo based model the effects of tissue optical properties on the point spread function, fluorescence generation, and fluorescence collection are studied. The simulated results are compared to measured point spread functions at different depths within a scattering sample. Results indicate that the limiting factor in two-photon imaging is a loss of signal caused by scattering rather than a loss of resolution.
Functional aspects of fibroblasts derived from the retrobulbar tissue of man

Monolayer fibroblast cultures were grown from small pieces of normal retrobulbar tissues obtained from 4 patients. These cultured cells proliferated, utilized glucose, and released glycosaminoglycans into the media at rates which were reproducible upon subculture, and which, among the strains from different donors, were respectively similar. The glycosaminoglycans in the media was almost all, if not solely, hyaluronic acid with a molecular weight of 1·4–1·7 million during the early days of culture. In contrast the intracellular glycosaminoglycans were composed of about 43% hyaluronic acid, and the remainder divided between chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfates and dermatan sulfate. Such cultures offer the opportunity to study the metabolism of otherwise inaccessible tissue. They should be especially useful as models for the investigation ofcauses and treatments of Graves' eye disease which is characterized by accumula glycosaminoglycans in the peri- and retrobulbar tissues.
Learning differences, medical students, and the law.

To update her article in the June 1999 issue of Academic Medicine, the author addresses the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the 2001 Bartlett case on medical students with learning differences. In Bartlett v. the New York State Board of Bar Examiners, the Court ruled that Bartlett was substantially limited in the major life activity of working because of the board's failure to accommodate her reading impairment. The author postulates that the Supreme Court decision in the Bartlett case offers hope to medical students applying for accommodation on medical licensing examinations. If such accommodations are not forthcoming, she suggests that medical schools might ask the question, "Are board examinations a valid measurement of the preparation for the job of a physician?"
The effect of the partial replacement of lanthanum in LaNi5H with cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium on absorption and desorption kinetics

Abstract A study was done to compare the absorption and desorption kinetics of a series of La0.8R0.2Ni5 hydrides (R ≡ Ce, Pr, Nd) with those of LaNi5-H. Measurements were done under essentially isothermal and isobaric conditions. Experiments were also designed so that the ratio of the equilibrium plateau pressure (Peq) to the opposing pressure (Pop) was the same in all cases. Since it was determined that the difference in chemical potential between the metal hydride phase and the gaseous hydrogen is directly proportional to ( P eq P op ), it was concluded that these experiments were carried out under constant thermodynamic driving forces. It was found that under identical reaction conditions, partial substitution of the lanthanum in LaNi5 with cerium, praseodymium, or neodymium generally increases reaction rates. It was also found that the hydriding rates of the L.a0.8R0.22Ni5 alloys varied with R as follows: ≡ Ce >Nd >Pr >La. Since the stability of these hydrides is in the reverse order, it appears that in alloys having similar crystallographic and electronic properties, reaction rate is inversely proportional to hydride stability.
Dislocation modeling for the microelectronics industry

We review the use of dislocation modeling as a practical tool in the development of semiconducting devices. Areas of application include calculation of single dislocation behavior in transistors and memory cells, large-scale simulations of relaxation in SiGe/Si and SiGe/SOI layer systems, and investigation of dislocation nucleation at stress concentrators. Current capabilities and case studies for each are reviewed, and areas where further progress is needed are identified.
Functional significance of stimulus orientation: Effects on orientation discrimination

Abstract Children (6- and 9-year-olds) and adults were required to discriminate identical pairs of visual stimuli from mirror images. It was hypothesized that a key factor in performance would be the extent to which orientation was a functionally significant attribute of the stimuli. Two variables were manipulated, type of orientation discrimination and stimulus class. The first variable refers to the fact that the mirror images could be produced by either left/right or top/bottom reversals. Three classes of stimuli, varying in the extent to which a particular orientation was emphasized, were used: mobile objects (for which left/right orientation is assumed to be important); stationary objects (which lack comparable relevance for left/right orientation); and novel, abstract forms. The prediction was that if the discrimination task involved left/right reversals, as contrasted with top/bottom reversals, subjects would show an advantage for mobile objects, producing an interaction between stimulus class and orientation discrimination. In the first study, the subjects were children and performance was measured in terms of error rates. In the second study adults were tested, and reaction times were measured. Both studies manifested the predicted interaction. Results are discussed in terms of an information-processing framework, in which the incorporation of orientation-related features in the code representing a stimulus varies with the functional significance of the orientation to the stimulus class.
Subpulmonic obstruction by aneurysmal tricuspid valve tissue in a perimembranous ventricular septal defect.

![Figure][1] [![Graphic][3] ][3][![Graphic][4] ][4][![Graphic][5] ][5] A 10-year-old female patient presented with dyspnea during play with peers. She had been diagnosed with a large perimembranous ventricular septal defect neonatally but had since been lost to follow-up. On
Redox Potential Selection in a New Class of Dendrimers Containing Multiple Ferrocene Centers

The preparation and electrochemical properties of four new dendrimers, compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4, containing eight, seven, four, and four ferrocene residues, respectively, are described. These small dendrimers were prepared with the building block bis(ferrocenylmethyl)alkylamine, which contains the tether −CH2−N(R)−CH2− linking two ferrocene units. The resulting dendrimers are multiferrocene compounds in which the peripheral ferrocene residues are paired. Partial protonation or N-methylation of the connecting nitrogen atoms allows the selection of the ferrocene oxidation potentials between two different values (∼0.4 and ∼0.6 V vs Ag/AgCl). The observed voltammetric pattern for ferrocene oxidation can be reversibly switched among several states depending on the number of protonated centers within each dendritic structure. Crystallographic and electrochemical data confirm that the electronic communication between two equivalent ferrocene centers is lessened after protonation or N-methylation of the connectin...
Domain familiarity as a cue for judgments of learning

Students differ in how much they already know about topics within and across their courses. Few studies, however, have examined the relationship between participants’ levels of knowledge across topics (i.e., their “domain familiarity”) and their learning of information from those topics, their study choices related to those topics, and their subjective self-assessments of their learning about the topics. As such, in two studies we had participants (Study 1, college students; Study 2, Mturk workers) rank their domain familiarity for several to-be-studied domains (e.g., chemistry, history), rate their efficacy and interest in those domains, study and make judgments of learning (JOLs) for facts from each domain, and finally complete a short-answer test over those facts. Participants’ efficacy and interest ratings for the topics were linearly related to their topic rankings, as were their recall of and JOLs for facts from those domains. Although the JOLs were consistently overconfident, they were more overconfident for better-known than for lesser-known topics. Participants’ study times were not related to their topic rankings (Studies 1 and 2), but participants did use domain familiarity to strategically decide which domains to restudy before the test (Study 2). Participants typically chose to restudy their least-familiar topics, but chose to restudy their best-known topic under extremely limited restudy conditions. As a whole, the results suggest that participants effectively use their domain familiarity as a basis for their JOLs and restudy choices, but to some extent overuse this factor to assess their learning, and underuse it to guide initial study.
Sustainability in higher education: Implications for the disciplines:

Academic disciplines have a critical role to play in higher education's response to the planetary challenges of the 21st century. Many academics have embraced the call for a fundamental reorientati...
Practical Formal Verification of MPI and Thread Programs

Large-scale simulation codes in science and engineering are written using the Message Passing Interface (MPI). Shared memory threads are widely used directly, or to implement higher level programming abstractions. Traditional debugging methods for MPI or thread programs are incapable of providing useful formal guarantees about coverage. They get bogged down in the sheer number of interleavings (schedules), often missing shallow bugs. In this tutorial we will introduce two practical formal verification tools: ISP (for MPI C programs) and Inspect (for Pthread C programs). Unlike other formal verification tools, ISP and Inspect run directly on user source codes (much like a debugger). They pursue only the relevant set of process interleavings, using our own customized Dynamic Partial Order Reduction algorithms. For a given test harness, DPOR allows these tools to guarantee the absence of deadlocks, instrumented MPI object leaks and communication races (using ISP), and shared memory races (using Inspect). ISP and Inspect have been used to verify large pieces of code: in excess of 10,000 lines of MPI/C for ISP in under 5 seconds, and about 5,000 lines of Pthread/C code in a few hours (and much faster with the use of a cluster or by exploiting special cases such as symmetry) for Inspect. We will also demonstrate the Microsoft Visual Studio and Eclipse Parallel Tools Platform integrations of ISP (these will be available on the LiveCD).
The diagnostic utility of clinical tests for differentiating between cervicogenic and other causes of dizziness after a sports-related concussion: An international Delphi study.

Abstract Objectives Dizziness after a sports-related concussion is very common and is associated with prolonged recovery. The events in sports that cause concussion include strong mechanical forces exerted to the head and neck, potentially injuring the cervical region, the peripheral vestibular and central nervous system, all of which can contribute to a sensation of dizziness. The purpose of this study was to identify proper clinically administered tests and measures that are useful in differentiating between cervicogenic and other causes of dizziness after a sports-related concussion. Design The Delphi method. Methods The workgroup identified the initial list of suggested clinical tests and the initial list of content experts on dizziness and/or concussion through a search of peer-reviewed and grey literature. The respondent group included all invited experts who opted to participate. A sequential three-round process was used for elicitation of consensus opinions from the targeted content experts. Results The respondent group included 25 members from several medical disciplines who were experts in concussion and dizziness. At the conclusion of the study, ten clinical tests achieved the designation of strong clinical utility, six were determined to have weak clinical utility and seven achieved no consensus among the experts. Conclusions The majority of clinical tests identified as having strong clinical utility are tests used to identify dizziness originating from the vestibular or central nervous system. No clinical tests specific for the cervical region achieved consensus. Expert opinion from different medical professions and even within professions was widely divergent regarding the utility of clinical tests to assess cervical dysfunction.
Web analytics in library practice: Exploration of issues

This study examines the use of web analytics in libraries to understand how this tool can be used to interpret users' behavior on the library's website. Evaluating library and information services is important for library management decision-making regarding the quality of library services. Because such decisions-making is time consuming and requires investment of many resources, libraries are constantly looking for efficient approaches that would provide insights into planning and changes to the library services. The study data consist of reports collected by Google analytics on the University of Missouri's (MU) library website and interactive group interviews with the library's usability committee. The poster presents the preliminary findings and discusses the issues of implementing web analytics in a library setting. The study findings would benefit libraries in understanding how web analytics can be used as an evaluation tool for libraries, especially as an addition to the traditional evaluation tools.
On Measuring Legislative Agenda-Setting Power

We propose a typology for measuring agenda-setting success and failure in a legislative context. Our typology goes beyond the most commonly used measure (“rolls”) and includes the full range of agenda-setting outcomes—rolls (opposing a proposal that subsequently passes), as well as “blocks” (opposing a proposal that is subsequently defeated), “successes” (supporting a proposal that subsequently passes), and “disappointments” (supporting a proposal that is subsequently defeated)—and thus takes into account instances of both positive and negative agenda power. We discuss these measures, and the theoretical questions surrounding them, with the hope of providing some guidance to scholars of the U.S. House, as well as those analyzing agenda power in other legislatures. As a first step in this direction, we explore variation in agenda-setting measures in 85 American state legislative chambers, the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, and the Canadian House of Commons.
Applying the learning community model to graduate education: linking research and teaching between core courses

In graduate education, there is often a great divide between classroom learning and research endeavors. Using learning community (LC) values and strategies, our goal is to build stronger and more meaningful ties between these two aspects of graduate education so that students see them as complimentary learning rather than separate components. This article describes a collaborative learning project between two core topics to strengthen links between course concepts and research, raise student interest in regional environmental issues, prepare students for postgraduate success, and help foster LC values. The project requires collaborative learning and integration of individual research to achieve team products, for example, reports and presentations, conference poster, or a manuscript submission to a peer-review journal. Although the LC model is tailored toward undergraduate education, student feedback shows our transfer of its values and strategies into the graduate classroom has been successful in three s...
Building Open Educational Resources from the Ground Up: South Africa's Free High School Science Texts

The relatively new field of open educational resources (OER) is just now receiving more widespread attention and study. As such, there have been few opportunities thus far to share knowledge across program, organizational and national boundaries. This article presents a case study of the development of the South African project Free High School Science Texts (FHSST). Based on observations of project activities, a survey and interviews with project participants, and analyses of project documents and web-based content, the study sheds light on the challenges and successes of creating OER content within a process built from the ground up. On the whole, the case study revealed that project sustainability is an iterative, evolutionary process that works best when able to adapt to a continuously changing environment and shifting community needs. Ultimately this involves instilling practices within the organization or project that imitate the very characteristics of the resources that OER projects serve to create and support. Editors: Stephen Godwin (Open University, UK). Reviewers: Stephen Godwin (Open University, UK) and Agnes Kukulska-Hulme (Open University, UK).
Nocturia, Nocturnal Activity, and Nondipping

Patients with chronic kidney disease have less than expected decline in blood pressure during sleep (nondipping) and commonly experience the vexing symptom of nocturia. To better understand the relationship among nocturia, nighttime physical activity, and nondipping, we studied 98 patients with chronic kidney disease on 2 occasions, 1 month apart, with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and simultaneous activity monitoring with wrist actigraphy. Patients with nocturia had greater actigraphically recorded nighttime physical activity compared to those with no nocturia. The drop in activity from wake to sleep was reduced to a similar extent whether the patients had nocturia once or twice, but patients who had nocturia >/=3 times had the least reduction from wake to sleep activity (P<0.001 versus those with less degrees of nocturia). Those with nocturia had a lesser drop in systolic ambulatory blood pressure during sleep compared with those without nocturia. The average fall in sleep systolic blood pressure was 9.8 mm Hg (95% CI: 8.0 to 11.6 mm Hg) in those without nocturia compared with 3.4 mm Hg (95% CI: 2.7 to 4.1 mm Hg) in those with any severity of nocturia (P<0.001 for difference). Nondipping in patients with nocturia was mediated by nighttime physical activity. These differences were independent of estimated glomerular filtration rate, albuminuria, or use of diuretics. Thus, nocturia, which may reflect impaired renal tubular function, is associated with nondipping in patients with chronic kidney disease and appears to be mediated by increased nocturnal activity. Whether nocturia itself or the resulting nondipping associated with nocturia is of prognostic importance for cardiorenal events in patients with chronic kidney disease should be tested in future studies.
Writing good theory: Issues to consider

What makes good theory is a question that has been asked and answered many times. This piece discusses why this is always an important issue to consider, and why one might decide to devote time and...
The origin of human pathogens: evaluating the role of agriculture and domestic animals in the evolution of human disease

Many significant diseases of human civilization are thought to have arisen concurrently with the advent of agriculture in human society. It has been hypothesised that the food produced by farming increased population sizes to allow the maintenance of virulent pathogens, i.e. civilization pathogens, while domestic animals provided sources of disease to humans. To determine the relationship between pathogens in humans and domestic animals, I examined phylogenetic data for several human pathogens that are commonly evolutionarily linked to domestic animals: measles, pertussis, smallpox, tuberculosis, taenid worms, and falciparal malaria. The majority are civilization pathogens, although I have included others whose evolutionary origins have traditionally been ascribed to domestic animals. The strongest evidence for a domestic-animal origin exists for measles and pertussis, although the data do not exclude a non-domestic origin. As for the other pathogens, the evidence currently available makes it difficult to determine if the domestic-origin hypothesis is supported or refuted; in fact, intriguing data for tuberculosis and taenid worms suggests that transmission may occur as easily from humans to domestic animals. These findings do not abrogate the importance of agriculture in disease transmission; rather, if anything, they suggest an alternative, more complex series of effects than previously elucidated. Rather than domestication, the broader force for human pathogen evolution could be ecological change, namely anthropogenic modification of the environment. This is supported by evidence that many current emerging infectious diseases are associated with human modification of the environment. Agriculture may have changed the transmission ecology of pre-existing human pathogens, increased the success of pre-existing pathogen vectors, resulted in novel interactions between humans and wildlife, and, through the domestication of animals, provided a stable conduit for human infection by wildlife diseases.
Superoxide Dismutase and Pulmonary Oxygen Toxicity

Three forms of superoxide dismutase (SOD) exist in the lung: CuZnSOD, MnSOD and extracellular SOD. Evidence suggests that both CuZnSOD and MnSOD are important in pulmonary defense against oxygen toxicity. Enhancement of pulmonary levels of CuZnSOD by transgenic overexpression of CuZnSOD, or tracheal insufflation of liposome-encapsulated or polyethylene glycol-conjugated CuZnSOD, protects animals against oxygen toxicity. Likewise, transgenic overexpression of MnSOD, or induction of endogenous MnSOD by endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor, or interleukin 1, also protects animals against oxygen toxicity. The role of extracellular SOD in the pulmonary defense against oxygen toxicity is not clear.
Correlation of histopathological variants, cellular DNA content, and clinical outcome in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands.

Objective To study the correlation between flow cytometrically measured DNA ploidy with prognostically important histopathologic groups and clinical outcome in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands. Study design 46 tumor specimens were analyzed flow cytometrically for DNA content and assessed for histological grade. Correlations were made between tumor DNA ploidy and histopathological grade, and disease-free and overall survival of these patients. Results Of the 46 patients, 31 had a cribiform/tubular histologic pattern, and 15 had a solid pattern. 84% of the tumors with cribriform/tubular pattern were DNA diploid, compared with 33% of tumors that were graded solid. This difference proved to be statistically significant (χ211.75, P = 0.0006). Overall and disease-free survival periods were longer for patients with DNA diploid tumors in both groups, 63% vs. 36% and 62% vs 38%, respectively. Conclusions Tumor DNA ploidy correlates with prognostically important tumor histopathology as well as overall and disease-free survival in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary gland. EBM rating: B-3.
Effect of exogenous ATP on canine jejunal smooth muscle

Intracellular recordings were made from the circular smooth muscle cells of the canine jejunum to study the effect of exogenous ATP and to compare the ATP response to the nonadrenergic, noncholiner...
The state of engineering management: a view from the trenches

There have been many theories and proposals for effectively managing engineers. Seldom discussed, however, are the impressions working level design engineers (i.e., nonmanagerial engineers) have of their managers or their company's management philosophies. This paper presents a critical analysis of engineering managers and management philosophies from the perspective of a working level engineer. The paper initially discusses the first level engineering manager and then progresses to a discussion of upper engineering management. Unfortunately, some of the views expressed are negative. Two common complaints are: (1) the lack of technical expertise of many first level managers; and (2) the unwillingness of upper management to examine bureaucratic policies that affect productivity. The paper is not simply a complaint forum as there are several examples of management techniques (from different companies) which have led to good working relationships and higher levels of engineering productivity. >
A novel approach of fast and adaptive bidimensional empirical mode decomposition

Bidimensional empirical mode decomposition (BEMD) techniques are associated with high computation time and other artifacts because of the application of two dimensional (2D) scattered data interpolation methods. In this paper, order statistics filters are employed to get the upper and lower envelopes in the BEMD process, instead of the surface interpolation. Based on the achieved characteristics of the proposed approach, it is considered as fast and adaptive BEMD (FABEMD). Simulation results demonstrate that besides reducing the computation time, FABEMD outperforms the original BEMD in terms of the quality in some cases.
Temporal effects of estradiol on progesterone receptor and glycoprotein synthesis in the epithelial-stromal complex of the rabbit endocervix.

The temporal effects of a single injection of estradiol (5 jig in corn oil) were studied in 18- to 23-week ovariectomized rabbits for up to 48 h. Changes in cytosol and nuclear progesterone receptor concentrations in the epithelial-stromal complex were correlated with ultrastructura! evidence of glycoprotein synthesis by nonciiated epithelial cells. After exposure to estradiol for 12 h, the Golgi cisternae of a few of the nonciliated cells contained secretory granules. After 24 h exposure, the number of nonciliated cells containing secretory granules was increased as was the number of granules per cell. After 36 h exposure, both the intracellular complement of secretory granules and the concentration of cytosol progesterone receptor (15.1 ± 2.7 pmoh/mg DNA) had reached a maximum. The concentration of cytosol progesterone receptor had increased 2-fold over the concentration (7.8 ± 0.8 pmol/mg DNA) for ovariectomized rabbits. The concentration of nuclear progesterone receptor had increased from 66.3 ± 26.3 fmol/mg DNA to 1459.5 ± 99.3 fmol/mg DNA. After 48 h exposure the cellular complement of secretory granules was reduced as was the concentration of cytosol (5.0 ± 0.5 pmol/mg DNA) and nuclear (740.0 ± 364.9 fmol/mg DNA) progesterone receptor. It is apparent that the production of secretory granules and progesterone receptor concentration are temporally dependent upon estradiol.
Yield and Quality of Cheddar Cheese from High Somatic Cell Milk Supplemented with Retentate to Varying Concentrations or Directly Ultrafiltered

Abstract High somatic cell milk with a mean cell count of 2,235,000/ml was supplemented to 1.25:1 to 1.88:1 total protein with approximately 5.5:1 low somatic cell whole milk retentate of UF. Curd formation time of cheese milk decreased with increasing concentration of SCC. Supplemented milk concentrated to 1.65: 1 and 1.88:1 total protein displayed normal curd formation times: 34 and 31min, respectively. Also, cheese made from these mixtures had normal moisture, whereas the remaining cheeses had higher than normal moisture. Supplementation to 1.65:1 and 1.88:1 total protein increased cheese yield by 9.67% and 11.38%, respectively, and produced excellent quality cheese after 2 mo at 10°C. Direct UF of high SCC milk to 1.84:1 total protein improved cheese quality and increased yield over control milk cheeses but not to the same high level attained with retentate supplementation.
Fast replication of out-of-plane microlens with polydimethylsiloxane and curable polymer (NOA73)

Out-of-plane microlens, as its in-plane counterpart, is an important micro optics component that can be used in building integrated micro-optic systems for many applications. In earlier publications from our group, an ultra violet (UV) lithography based technique for out-of-plane microlens fabrication was reported. In this paper, we report a replication technology for time-efficient fabrication of out-of-plane microlens made of a curable polymer, NOA73. Microlens of cured SU-8 polymer was fabricated using a unique tilted UV lithography process, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was molded using the resulting SU-8 master to form a negative mold, curable polymer NOA73 was then casted in the PDMS mold and out-of-plane microlens replica made of NOA73 was finally obtained after curing. The entire replication process took less than 5 h. Since PDMS negative mold was reusable, multiple replications of the microlens could be done with the same mold and each replication only took about 30 min. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images showed that NOA73 microlens replica had almost identical shape as the SU-8 master. In Comparison to the SU-8 microlens, microlens replica of UV curable polymer had slightly longer focal length and smaller numerical aperture due to the lower refractive index of NOA73. In addition, NOA73 microlens replica also had improved spectral transmission. Because of its compatibility with soft lithography technique, the reported replication process may also be used to integrate out-of-plane microlens into micro-opto-electro-mechanical-systems (MOEMS) and BioMEMS chips.
Salt‐Occluded Zeolites as an Immobilization Matrix for Chloride Waste Salt

The pyrometallurgical processing of spent fuel from the integral fast reactor (IFR), an advanced reactor under development at Argonne National Laboratory, will generate a chloride salt waste containing the alkali-metal, alkaline-earth, and some of the rare-earth fission products. Salt-occluded zeolite A, formed by equilibrating simulated molten waste salt and zeolite A, has been investigated as an immobilization matrix for this salt waste. In this concept, the chloride waste salt is loaded into the zeolite cavities, and cesium and strontium from the salt are preferentially sorbed by the zeolite. Experiments showed that the salt occluded zeolite powders are leach resistant and radiation stable. The conclusion is that the salt-occluded zeolite is a promising immobilization matrix for the IFR waste salt.