cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Democracy in teacher education: Equality verses excellence

Abstract This article discusses the difsculties that face colleges of education as they attempt to work with students who have special needs—disabilities, oral communication deficits, and emotional adjustment problems. Presenting a case study of faculty in the College of Education (COE) at a mid‐sized regional university, the article explores the dilemma resulting from efforts to mediate between those educators concerned with providing equality of opportunity and those concerned with upholding standards of excellence. At the COE in question, faculty opinions became polarized, with some faculty advocating “equality” and others advocating “standards.” From its analysis of faculty members' difficulties in resolving this dilemma, the article draws implications for democratic practice in teacher education.
Clinical utility of intraprocedural transesophageal echocardiography during transvenous lead extraction.

Background Transvenous lead extraction carries a risk of significant complications. Although intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is widely used to monitor cardiac performance and structures, its utility during transvenous lead extraction has not been well described. Objective This study evaluates the utility of TEE during transvenous lead extraction. Methods The records of 108 consecutive patients who underwent transvenous lead extraction with TEE guidance were reviewed. Results Transvenous extraction of 202 leads was attempted; complete extraction was achieved for 174 leads (86%) and partial extraction for 13 leads with clinically acceptable outcomes in 187 leads (93%). Mean age of the patients was 63 ± 21 (14-99) years and 37% were female. The average number of leads per patient was 1.9 (1-6). Mean implant duration was 71 ± 57 (1-360) months. Indications for extraction were pocket infection (53 patients), bacteremia (33), atrial J-lead fracture or recall (13), lead malfunction (8), and venous thrombosis (1). TEE identified critical findings that prompted emergency surgical intervention or converted transvenous lead extraction to surgical explantation in 6 patients (two cases with cardiac laceration, 3 cases of cardiac tamponade, and one case with a large vegetation and a patent foramen ovale). TEE eliminated the need for the premature termination of the procedure in 11 patients by excluding significant structural cardiac damage. Overall, TEE provided clinically useful information during transvenous lead extraction in 17 cases (16%). Conclusions TEE during transvenous lead extraction provides valuable real-time information that improves efficacy and safety.
Early development program: Collaborative structures and processes

Le Programme de Developpement Precoce (abrege EDP en anglais) offre et coordonne une evaluation/intervention en sante mentale et developpement interdisciplinaire pour des enfants âges de zero a trois ans et leurs familles. L'equipe interdisciplinaire de l'EDP comprend des professeurs en psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, en pediatrie du developpement, en pediatrie, en psychologie, en psychologie du developpement, en education, en sciences infirmieres, en assistance sociale, en langue et orthophonie, en kinesitherapie et ergotherapie, ainsi que des internes en psychiatrie, en pediatrie, en psychologie et en education. Les enfants sont dans l'ensemble envoyes par des pediatres. Les trois-quart n'ont que la couverture de securite sociale reservee aux failles americaines pauvres et un tier d'entre eux ont une mutuelle. Des fondations locales aident a financer toute evaluation/intervention suivie. Le probleme pour lequel l'on envoie le plus souvent les enfants est un comportement perturbateur. Presque la moitie des enfants presentant un comportement perturbateur ont aussi des retards. En utilisant la Classificatio Diagnostique: 0-3 (DC: 0-3), ce sont des Troubles de l'Affect, des Troubles de Regulation, des Troubles de Stress Traumatique, et des Troubles Relationnels qui sont le plus souvent diagnostiques. Des diagnostiques comorbides sont communs. L'intervention centree sur la famille inclue des approches psychodynamiques et interactionnelles familiales, une utilisation facilitee et un developpement des ressources communautaires.
Analysis of ion transport with fixed site carrier membranes

Abstract A morphology-dependent ion mobility is derived for ion transport across fixed site carrier membranes. This mobility term is used in the Nernst-Planck equations along with a previously derived morphology-dependent diffusion coefficient. The rearrangement of the Nernst-Planck equations gives rise to an overall “effective” diffusion coefficient for ion transport. Setting this term equal to zero then provides a criterion for the existence of a percolation threshold in these systems.
Quantum Hall effect in a two-dimensional electron-hole gas.

We have shown experimentally that in a two-dimensional gas with coexisting electrons and holes the quantum Hall effect is determined by the degree of uncompensation of the system. A classical analysis of low-field magnetotransport measurements in GaSb-InAs-GaSb heterostructures gives individual carrier concentrations and mobilities for both electrons and holes. In the quantum Hall regime, with the Fermi level between electron and hole magnetic levels, the filling factor is the difference between the electron and hole filling factors. Similarly, the carrier density is the difference between the electron and hole densities, in analogy with the infinite-field limit of the classical Hall effect.
Are Current Law Enforcement Strategies Associated with a Lower Risk of Repeat Speeding Citations and Crash Involvement? A Longitudinal Study of Speeding Maryland Drivers

Purpose To determine whether traffic court appearances and different court verdicts were associated with risk of subsequent speeding citations and crashes. Methods A cohort of 29,754 Maryland drivers ticketed for speeding who either went to court or paid fines by mail in May/June 2003 was followed for 3 years. Drivers appearing in court were categorized by verdicts: 1) not guilty, 2) suspension of prosecution/no prosecution (STET/NP), 3) case dismissed, 4) probation before judgment (PBJ) and fines, or 5) fines and demerit points. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (AHR). Results Court appearances were associated with lower risk of subsequent speeding citations (AHR = 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88–0.96), but higher risk of crashes (AHR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.16–1.35). PBJ was associated with significantly lower repeat speeding tickets (AHR = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.75–0.91) and a non-significant decrease in crashes (AHR = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.75–1.02). Both repeat speeding tickets and subsequent crashes were significantly lower in the STET/NP group. Conclusions PBJ and STET/NP may reduce speeding and crashes, but neither verdict eliminated excess crash risk among drivers who choose court appearances. Randomized, controlled evaluations of speeding countermeasures are needed to inform traffic safety policies.
Current Surgical Techniques Surgery for hyperparathyroidism

Management of parathyroid disease remains primarily surgical. In experienced hands, cure rates of 95% to 98% for primary hyperparathyroidism can be expected. Knowledge of embryology and experience with the pertinent anatomy is of paramount importance in achieving a consistently high success rate. Preoperative localization and the extent of surgery (unilateral vs bilateral) are the main areas of controversy. New developments include a rapid bioassay that allows for intraoperative determination of parathyroid hormone levels. This procedure may help the surgeon determine when the hyperactive gland has been removed. Although localization studies are imperative in secondary procedures, their role in primary exploration is controversial. If one is willing to consider a unilateral exploration as adequate, then preoperative studies will contribute to the success of that procedure. The the cost-benefit ratio, however, has not been proven to be favorable. Ultimately, surgical preference and expertise determine the treatment options.
Complexes having the fac-[M(CO)3]+ core (M=Tc, Re) useful in radiopharmaceuticals: X-ray and NMR structural characterization and density functional calculations of species containing two sp3 N donors and one sp3 O donor.

Radiopharmaceuticals containing the “fac-{M(CO)3}+” core (M = 99mTc, 186Re, or 188Re) have potential as diagnostic or therapeutic agents. Complexes with this core with sp3 amine donors have receive...
DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION OF A PERSONALITY BATTERY FOR ACCOUNTANTS

Sfmz.mary.-This paper reports development of an Accountant Personality Battery consisting of an Accountant Personality Inventory and three personality performance tests. Administering the test .battery to 250 university students indicated that use of the battery, in conjuncrion with traditional predictors of grade-point average and academic achievement tests, may increase the predictability of an individual's performance in accounting courses. Personality tests of accounting majors showed persistence, a strong desire for system, a liking for security and routine, conventional and conscientious attitudes, and flexibility when conditions required it. Math ACT scores were high. Successful accounting students showed high motivation, a strong desire to succeed, superior examtaking ability, conscientiousness, and persistence. They remained cool in stressful situations. Although uninterested in abstract creativity, they showed interest in searching for new methods of problem solving. A perplexing problem in vocational counseling and personnel selection is identification of predictive factors which correlate highly with the criteria of job prosperity. Job prosperity implies a chosen life work consonant with values, interests, and needs as well as aptitudes. Traditional predictors such as grade-point average, interviews and standardized tests, although correlating significantly with vocational success, leave major portions of predictor-criterion variance unexplained (Sawyer, 1966). Human behavior is complex, and current predictors isolate only a few of the variables. Cognizance should be taken of the multitude of personality characteristics relating to prosperity in a vocational field. Investigations to assess personality characteristics of the prosperous accountant have been reported in the literature using personality inventories, work-value inventories, and projective techniques. Studies cited in the 16 Personality Factor Handbook characterize accountants as intelligent, conscientious, toughminded, shrewd, dependent, serious, submissive, and self-sufficient (Cattell, Eber, & Tatsuoka, 1970). Kinnane and Suziedelis (1962), using a Work Value Inventory, reported accountants placed high positive value on securityeconomic-material, a high negative value on social-artistic, and a low negative value on independence-variety. Kabach ( 1946), using the Group Rorschach Technique, characterized accountants as mature, cautious, intelligent and introversive. The present paper focuses on early identification of persons who will prosper in accounting. To add personality characteristics to traditional predictors of success, an Accountant Personality Battery was developed by the authors.
Sequence Analysis of the IL28A/IL28B Inverted Gene Duplication That Contains Polymorphisms Associated with Treatment Response in Hepatitis C Patients

Several SNPs located in or around the IL28B gene are associated with response of patients infected with Hepatitis C virus to treatment with pegylated interferon-α +/− ribavirin or with spontaneous clearance of the virus. The results of such studies are so compelling that future treatment approaches are likely to involve clinical decisions being made on the basis of a patient's genotype. Since IL28B is a paralogue of IL28A with greater than 95% sequence identity, it is possible that without genotyping assay specificity, sequences in IL28A may contribute to genotype identification, and potentially confound treatment decisions. This study aimed to 1) examine DNA sequences in IL28B surrounding each of the reported associated SNPs and the corresponding regions in IL28A; and 2) develop a robust assay for rs12979860, the most ‘cosmopolitan’ SNP most strongly associated with treatment response across all global populations studied to date. Bioinformatic analysis of genomic regions surrounding IL28A and IL28B demonstrated that 3 SNPs were unique to IL28B, whereas the remaining 6 SNP regions shared >93% identity between IL28A and IL28B. Using a panel of DNA samples, PCR amplification followed by Sanger sequencing was used to examine IL28B SNPs and the corresponding regions in IL28A. For the overlapping SNPs, all 6 in IL28B were confirmed to be polymorphic whereas the corresponding positions in IL28A were monomorphic. Based upon IL28A and IL28B sequence data, a specific TaqMan® assay was developed for SNP rs12979860 that was 100% concordant to the sequence-derived genotypes. Analysis using a commercial assay identified one discordant result which led to a change in their genotype-calling algorithm. Where future treatment decisions are made upon the results of genotyping assays, it is very important that results are concordant with data from a sequence-based format. This is especially so in situations where designing specific PCR primers is a challenge.
[3+2] Dipolar cycloadditions of an unstabilised azomethine ylide under continuous flow conditions

Abstract The [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition reactions of the unstabilised azomethine ylide precursor benzyl(methoxymethyl)(trimethylsilylmethyl)amine with 12 electron-deficient alkenes in the presence of catalytic trifluoroacetic acid are examined under continuous flow conditions (20–100 °C, 10–60 min residence time). The more reactive and hazardous alkenes such as ethyl acrylate, N -methylmaleimide and ( E )-2-nitrostyrene afford substituted N -benzylpyrrolidine products in 77–83% yields, whereas less reactive dipolarophiles such as ( E )-crotononitrile and ethyl methacrylate give lower yields (59–63%). Under optimised conditions, the reaction with ethyl acrylate is scaled up to afford ethyl N -benzylpyrrolidine-3-carboxylate (30 g, 87%) in 1 h.
Evaluation of the Approach to Respirable Quartz Exposure Control in U.S. Coal Mines

Occupational exposure to high levels of respirable quartz can result in respiratory and other diseases in humans. The Mine Safety and Health Adminstration (MSHA) regulates exposure to respirable quartz in coal mines indirectly through reductions in the respirable coal mine dust exposure limit based on the content of quartz in the airborne respirable dust. This reduction is implemented when the quartz content of airborne respirable dust exceeds 5% by weight. The intent of this dust standard reduction is to restrict miners' exposure to respirable quartz to a time-weighted average concentration of 100 μg/m(3). The effectiveness of this indirect approach to control quartz exposure was evaluated by analyzing respirable dust samples collected by MSHA inspectors from 1995 through 2008. The performance of the current regulatory approach was found to be lacking due to the use of a variable property-quartz content in airborne dust-to establish a standard for subsequent exposures. In one situation, 11.7% (4370/37,346) of samples that were below the applicable respirable coal mine dust exposure limit exceeded 100 μg/m(3) quartz. In a second situation, 4.4% (895/20,560) of samples with 5% or less quartz content in the airborne respirable dust exceeded 100 μg/m(3) quartz. In these two situations, the samples exceeding 100 μg/m(3) quartz were not subject to any potential compliance action. Therefore, the current respirable quartz exposure control approach does not reliably maintain miner exposure below 100 μg/m(3) quartz. A separate and specific respirable quartz exposure standard may improve control of coal miners' occupational exposure to respirable quartz.
V(D)J Recombinase Activity in a Subset of Germinal Center B Lymphocytes

Reexpression of the V(D)J recombinase-activating genes RAG1 and RAG2 in germinal center B cells creates the potential for immunoglobulin gene rearrangement and the generation of new antigen receptor specificities. Intermediate products of V(D)J recombination are abundant in a subset of germinal center B cells, demonstrating that the kappa immunoglobulin light-chain locus becomes a substrate for renewed V(D)J recombinase activity. This recombinationally active cell compartment contains many heavy-chain VDJ rearrangements that encode low-affinity or nonfunctional antibody. In germinal centers, secondary V(D)J recombination may be induced by diminished binding to antigen ligands, thereby limiting abrupt changes in receptor specificity to B cells that are usually eliminated from the germinal center reaction. This restriction preserves efficient antigen-driven selection in germinal centers while allowing for saltations in the somatic evolution of B cells.
Effect of Infusing Selected Chemical Compounds on Dentinal Fluid Movement in the Rat

Intra-arterial infusion of carbamyl phosphate or of carbamyl-DL-aspartic acid into rats on a cariogenic diet greatly stimulated the movement of fluid through the odontoblastic processes. The infusion of sodium cyanate also stimulated fluid movement. Guanidine HCl and L-asparagine were active at higher concentrations. Purifying the urea on a mixed-bed ion exchange resin virtually removed its stimulatory effect on dentinal fluid movement. The action of urea is apparently attributable to contamination with sodium cyanate.
Determination of salsolinol enantiomers by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with cyclodextrin chiral columns

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for enantiomeric determination of salsolinol (Sal), a dopaminergic neurotoxin precursor, is described. Sal enantiomers were resolved on a cyclodextrin capillary column after O-trimethylsilylation with N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (MSTFA). Superior resolution was achieved on β-cyclodextrin columns as compared with α- or γ-cyclodextrin columns. A detection limit of 100 pg in sample or 2.5 pg on-column for each enantiomer was observed. The method has been applied to the quantification of Sal enantiomers in food stuff and nerve tissue samples. Both (R)- and (S)-Sal were found at the 30 μg/g level in dried banana chips, a food rich in Sal. The ratio of (R)- to (S)-Sal was close to the unity, i.e. Sal present in this sample was racemic. However, (R)-Sal was the predominant enantiomer in homogenates of the cerebral ganglion from the sea slug, Aplysia californica.
Identification of a cytochrome P4502E1/Bid/C1q-dependent axis mediating inflammation in adipose tissue after chronic ethanol feeding to mice.

Chronic, heavy alcohol exposure results in inflammation in adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and liver injury. Here we have identified a CYP2E1/Bid/C1q-dependent pathway that is activated in response to chronic ethanol and is required for the development of inflammation in adipose tissue. Ethanol feeding for 25 days to wild-type (C57BL/6J) mice increased expression of multiple markers of adipose tissue inflammation relative to pair-fed controls independent of increased body weight or adipocyte size. Ethanol feeding increased the expression of CYP2E1 in adipocytes, but not stromal vascular cells, in adipose tissue and Cyp2e1−/− mice were protected from adipose tissue inflammation in response to ethanol. Ethanol feeding also increased the number of TUNEL-positive nuclei in adipose tissue of wild-type mice but not in Cyp2e1−/− or Bid −/− mice. Apoptosis contributed to adipose inflammation, as the expression of multiple inflammatory markers was decreased in mice lacking the Bid-dependent apoptotic pathway. The complement protein C1q binds to apoptotic cells, facilitating their clearance and activating complement. Making use of C1q-deficient mice, we found that activation of complement via C1q provided the critical link between CYP2E1/Bid-dependent apoptosis and onset of adipose tissue inflammation in response to chronic ethanol. In summary, chronic ethanol increases CYP2E1 activity in adipose, leading to Bid-mediated apoptosis and activation of complement via C1q, finally resulting in adipose tissue inflammation. Taken together, these data identify a novel mechanism for the development of adipose tissue inflammation that likely contributes to the pathophysiological effects of ethanol.
THE MOLECULAR ZPA

Signals that instruct the developing limb bud mesenchyme to form the appropriate elements along the anterior posterior axis emanate from the zone of polarizing activity (ZPA). Studies of the last five years have illustrated that the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) protein mediates the activities of the ZPA. This review will focus on three aspects of the ZPA biology. We will address induction of the ZPA in terms of the factors required for activation and maintenance of Shh expression in the posterior limb bud mesenchyme and the evidence for negative regulatory mechanisms that prevent inappropriate Shh expression. Second, we will discuss the current understanding of Shh processing and transduction of the Shh signal, inferring much from the elegant studies on Drosophila Hedgehog (Hh) protein. Finally, we will address the interpretation of the secreted Shh signal by the limb bud mesenchyme that leads to a predictable morphological response.
Critical assessment of UO2 classical potentials for thermal conductivity calculations

This article reviews the thermal transport properties as predicted by 26 classical interatomic potentials for uranium dioxide, an important nuclear fuel material, determined using a lattice dynamics-based method. The calculations reveal structural instabilities for multiple potentials, as well as the presence of lower energy structures even for potentials in which the fluorite structure is stable. Both rigid atom and shell model potentials are considered, and general trends in their representation of the thermal conductivity are identified. Reviewed classical potentials predict thermal conductivity in the range of ~5–22 W/mK, compared to the experimental value of 8.9 W/mK. The quality of the anharmonicity correction that is based on the correlation between thermal expansion and thermal conductivity is investigated, and it found to generally improve thermal conductivities results.
Mn2+-sensitive, soluble adenylate cyclase in rat testis Differentiation from other testicular nucleotide cyclases

Abstract In subcellular fractions prepared from homogenate of adult rat testis adenylate cyclase (ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1) activity was found in the particulate, primarily 600 × g for 10 rain, fractions, as well as in the cytosol. The properties of the adenylate cyclase in the cytosol differs substantially from the adenylate cyclase system associated with the 600 × g for 10 min particulate fraction. The cytosol enzyme, in contrast to the particulate adenylate cyclase, was found to be fluoride- and gonadotropin hormoneinsensitive. The cytosol adenylate cyclase appears to be located in the germ cell while the particulate enzyme system in the non-germ cell component of the seminiferous tubules. The cytosol adenylate cyclase was found to be distinct also from the guanylate cyclase present in the rat testis cytosol. The adenylate cyclase appears to be located in the germ cell component while the guanylate cyclase, in the non-germ cell tubular component. Furthermore, it was found that the cytosol guanylate cyclase develops at an earlier stage of spermatogenesis, and precedes the development of the cytosol adenylate cyclase.
On-chip vacuum generated by a micromachined Knudsen pump

This paper describes the design, fabrication, and testing of a single-chip micromachined implementation of a Knudsen pump, which uses the principle of thermal transpiration, and has no moving parts. A six-mask microfabrication process was used to fabricate the pump using a glass substrate and silicon wafer. The Knudsen pump and two integrated pressure sensors occupy an area of 1.5 mm /spl times/ 2 mm. Measurements show that while operating in standard laboratory conditions this device can evacuate a cavity to 0.46 atm using 80 mW input power. The pumpdown time of an on-chip chamber and pressure sensor cavity with a total volume of 80 000 cubic micrometers is only 2s, with a peak pump speed of 1/spl times/10/sup -6/ cc/min. High thermal isolation is obtained between the polysilicon heater and the rest of the device.
Oncogenic stress sensed by the immune system: role of natural killer cell receptors

A growing body of research is addressing how pathways that are dysregulated during tumorigenesis are linked to innate immune responses, which can contribute to immune surveillance of cancer. Components of the innate immune system that are localized in tissues are thought to eliminate early neoplastic cells, thereby preventing or delaying the establishment of advanced tumours. This Review addresses our current understanding of the mechanisms that detect cellular stresses that are associated with tumorigenesis and that culminate in the recognition and, in some cases, the elimination of the tumour cells by natural killer cells and other lymphocytes that express natural killer cell receptors.
Courtship Behavior and Use of Chemical Communication by Males of Certain Species of Ithomiine Butterflies (Nymphalidae: Lepidoptera)

Male ithomiine butterflies are attracted to various plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids where they congregate and feed. Volatile “esterifying acids” liberated from alkaloids in rotting plant tissue provide males the olfactory cue for locating plants. The “hairpencil” glands of males in certain genera contain a lactone structurally similar to the attractive acids. In these genera, males erect and display their hairpencils. Lactone released from the hairpencils appears to act as a male territorial-recognition pheromone and allomone, repelling not only conspecific males but those of other lactone-producing species as well. The lactone also has significance in allowing males to recognize one another and terminate male-male intra- and interspecific courtship pursuits. A 2nd function of hairpencils is to disseminate aphrodisiacs during the later phases of the courtship flight. Some Ithomiinae do not display hairpencils and use the glands primarily during male-female pursuits. Results of bioassays for hairpencil extracts, whole hairpencils, and the lactone are discussed with respect to evolution of chemical communication in the courtships of Ithomiinae and the closely related Danainae.
Demonstration of Qurk: a query processor for humanoperators

Crowdsourcing technologies such as Amazon's Mechanical Turk ("MTurk") service have exploded in popularity in recent years. These services are increasingly used for complex human-reliant data processing tasks, such as labelling a collection of images, combining two sets of images to identify people that appear in both, or extracting sentiment from a corpus of text snippets. There are several challenges in designing a workflow that filters, aggregates, sorts and joins human-generated data sources. Currently, crowdsourcing-based workflows are hand-built, resulting in increasingly complex programs. Additionally, developers must hand-optimize tradeoffs among monetary cost, accuracy, and time to completion of results. These challenges are well-suited to a declarative query interface that allows developers to describe their worflow at a high level and automatically optimizes workflow and tuning parameters. In this demonstration, we will present Qurk, a novel query system that allows human-based processing for relational databases. The audience will interact with the system to build queries and monitor their progress. The audience will also see Qurk from an MTurk user's perspective, and complete several tasks to better understand how a query is processed.
Method, Models, and Scholarly Types: Reflections on Thesis and Dissertation Writing in Pastoral Theology

This article concerns the methodological issues confronted by pastoral theology students in their writing of a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation. I introduce H. Richard Niebuhr’s (1951) identification of five models (rejection, accommodation, synthesis, dualism, and conversionist) for relating the theological and psychological resources used in their writing. Then, by means of Rudolf Arnheim’s art theory (1986, 1988, 1996), I identify three additional models (convergence, juxtaposition, and structural uniformity) and note their affinities with and complications of three of Niebuhr’s models (synthesis, dualism, and accommodation). I argue that these complications can play a positive role in the writing of a thesis or dissertation as they promote a fuller engagement with the empirical reality that is the focus of study. I also note David W. Galenson’s (2006) view that his typology of artists as conceptualists and experimentalists is applicable to scholars and suggest that awareness of which type is most characteristic of oneself may enable one to minimize the frustrations that one is likely to experience in writing a thesis or dissertation. I conclude with a brief discussion of Erik H. Erikson’s consideration of Martin Luther’s redefinition of work in Young Man Luther (chapter 5) and suggest that it makes the case for understanding thesis and dissertation writing as an exercise in liberated craftsmanship.
Estimation of lower bounds in scheduling algorithms for high-level synthesis

To produce efficient design, a high-level synthesis system should be able to analyze a variety of cost-performance tradeoffs. The system can use lower-bound performance estimated methods to identify and puune inferior designs without producint complete designs. We present a lower-bound performance estimate method that is not only faster than existing methods, but also produces better lower bounds. In most cases, the lower bound produced by our algorithm is tight.Scheduling algorithms such as branch-and-bound need fast and effective lower-bound estimate methods, often for a large number of partially scheduled dataflow graphs, to reduce the search space. We extend our method to efficiently estimate completion time of partial schedules. This problem is not addressed by existing methods in the literature. Our lower-bound estimate is shown to by very effective in reducing the size of the search space when used in a branch-and-bound scheduling algorithm.Our methods can handle multicycle operations, pipelined functional units, and chaining of operations. We also present an extension to handle conditional branches. A salient feature of the extended method is its applicability to speculative execution as well as C-select implementation of conditional branches.
Effects of water-soluble chlorine-containing organics on aquatic environments — Another perspective

Abstract Many water-soluble chlorine-containing organic compounds of low volatility have been identified in chlorinated cooling waters and sanitary effluents. Relatively little is known about the ecological effects of these materials in aquatic systems. Earlier results which indicated toxicity of two compounds, 5-chlorouracil and 4-chlororesorcinol, to carp embryos at concentrations ⪡ 1 mg/l are refuted by our research. Our investigations support more recent work indicating either relatively low or moderate toxicity (LC50 > 10–100 mg/l) for these compounds and representative chlorinated effluents which contain them. Toxicity of three synthetic mixtures of identified chlorinated organics can be attributed primarily to the content of chlorophenols.
Autologous anticancer antigen preparation for specific immunotherapy in advanced cancer patients. A phase I clinical trial.

A phase I clinical trial was performed to detect adverse reactions in far advanced cancer patients treated with a unique specific cancer immunotherapy. The vaccines consisted of autologous tumor cell membranes and managanese phosphate gel. From 133 patients admitted into the trial, 95 vaccine batches were made. No batch was toxic in animals. One batch was bacteriologically contaminated. Sufficient patients survived or complied to receive 32 complete and 23 partial courses for a total of 707 SC and ID injections. Minor swelling and occasional minimal pain occurred at injection sites. There were two possible vaccine-related systemic reactions but no evidence of tumor transplantation, tumor acceleration, sepsis or autoimmune disease. Subjective and objective improvement occurred in a number of patients. The vaccines are safe. Their efficacy must be determined. The value of ID vaccine skin testing and the unexpectedly little bacteriological contamination require further study.
A Discrete Vortex Method Application to High Angle of Attack Maneuvers

A code implementing the Discrete Vortex Method was used to calculate the flowfield, pressures, lift coefficient, and drag coefficient on a flat plate pitching to high angles of attack, specifically 45 and 85 degrees. The method did a good job modeling the flow field around a flat plate pitching to the high angles of attack when compared to CFD and experimental results. The code implemented the Uhlman method to capture vortex motion and surface effects so that the pressures around the airfoil could be calculated for the purposes of finding the lift and drag coefficients. The lift and drag coefficient results compared well with experimental and CFD results. Future use of the code will be to analyze a "perching" maneuver, in which the free stream velocity decreases to zero. Nomenclature
Human Health Risks of Exposure to Estuary Waters

The convergence of data strongly suggests the presence of an estuary-related toxin (pfiesteria piscicida or similar organism) that produces adverse human health effects. A diversity of methodological approaches is necessary to answer important preliminary questions about the clinical syndrome, its immediate public health risk, prioritize ongoing scientific studies and direct future research. These include intensive case and multiple-case studies; case-control studies; and epidemiological cohort studies that are conducted in parallel with basic science research. Findings to date indicate the estuary-related toxin is neurotoxic to persons with high levels of exposure. The most pronounced effects are neurocognitive and include problems with complex attention, memory, and visual contrast sensitivity. The disturbances are detectable with standard neuropsychological procedures. Although the most debilitating effects are reversible, the possibility of a sensitization phenomenon exists. The Estuary Clinical Syndr...
Fractional Optimal Control of Distributed Systems

This paper presents a formulation and a numerical scheme for Fractional Optimal Control (FOC) for a class of distributed systems. The fractional derivative is defined in the Caputo sense. The performance index of a Fractional Optimal Control Problem (FOCP) is considered as a function of both the state and the control variables, and the dynamic constraints are expressed by a Partial Fractional Differential Equation (PFDE). The scheme presented rely on reducing the equations for distributed system into a set of equations that have no space parameter. Several strategies are pointed out for this task, and one of them is discussed in detail. This involves discretizing the space domain into several segments, and writing the spatial derivatives in terms of variables at space node points. The Calculus of Variations, the Lagrange multiplier, and the formula for fractional integration by parts are used to obtain Euler-Lagrange equations for the problem. The numerical technique presented in [1] for scalar case is extended for the vector case. In this technique, the FOC equations are reduced to Volterra type integral equations. The time domain is also descretized into several segments. For the linear case, the numerical technique results into a set of algebraic equations which can be solved using a direct or an iterative scheme. The problem is solved for various order of fractional derivatives and various order of space and time discretizations. Numerical results show that for the problem considered, only a few space grid points are sufficient to obtain good results, and the solutions converge as the size of the time step is reduced. The formulation presented is simple and can be extended to FOC of other distributed systems.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
On the periphery of the international dollar standard: Canada, Latin America, and East Asia

Abstract This paper focuses on how the world dollar standard works in two respects. The first is the dollar as a benign facilitator of international exchange both in private and official transacting. The second is the possibility of dollar encroachment on the domestic domains of weaker currencies. But this encroachment is quite different across more mature industrial economies such as Canada with long-term bond markets in comparison to more extreme encroachment in Latin America and less extreme in East Asia where domestic bond markets barely exist. It examines the risks in alternative exchange rate regimes for emerging markets where the term to maturity of finance is short, with external liabilities all dominated in foreign exchange, largely dollars. Problems faced by central banks in regulating money and exchange rates, and bank regulators in limiting default risks, are jointly considered.
Experience Applying the Pharmacist Learning Styles Inventory (PILS) to Experiential Clerkships as a Preceptor: A Reflection

Abstract The learning styles inventory categorizes student preference for acquisition and processing of information. The learning styles inventory has the potential to positively influence the learning environment with pharmacy education. Yet, little exploration of this area has been done. This article is a reflection on the potential applications of the Pharmacist's Inventory of Learning Styles in an experiential environment.
Central Nervous System Infections in the Immune-competent Adult.

The clinician must maintain a high level of suspicion for central nervous system infections even if not all of the classic signs are present, because prompt treatment may make a difference in patient outcome. If bacterial meningitis is suspected, a CT scan of the head should be obtained prior to lumbar puncture if there is papilledema, a focal neurologic exam, or if the patient is comatose. In bacterial meningitis, empiric antibiotics should be chosen based on a patient’s risk factors and should be started immediately. Depending on the resistance patterns of the institution, Streptococcus pneumoniae may be resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins. Corticosteroids are of uncertain benefit in bacterial meningitis and may decrease the penetration of antibiotics into the central nervous system. The dosage for acyclovir treatment in herpes simplex encephalitis is 10 to 15mg/kg every 8 hours. Subdural empyema is a neurosurgical emergency. Brain abscesses should be surgically drained if they exceed 2.5 centimeters.
Offshore employment practices: An empirical analysis of routines, wages and labour turnover

. Theories of efficiency wage and human capital formation suggest that both should have a significant influence on employee turnover in offshore manufacturing sites. This influence is explored and examined empirically with a stratified, random sample of northern Mexican maquilas — the historical choice for offshoring in that country and one of the world's earliest and most enduring offshore manufacturing sites. Statistical tests reveal the strong influence on production-level turnover of direct wages and human capital formation when the latter variable is measured in terms of “maquiladora generations”. The distinctive human resource practices of the maquiladora generations are then presented and discussed.
The adhesive behaviour of poly(p-phenylene benzobisthiazole) (PBT)/epoxy composites

A modified scarf joint specimen was developed for characterizing the adhesive behaviour of poly (p-phenylene benzobisthiazole) (PBT) film/epoxy composites. This method subjected samples to varying amounts of normal stress (tensile or compressive) and shear stress. This resulted in the determination of two adhesive strengths; one in the absence of shear stress and one in the absence of normal stress. As a result, the dependence of the adhesive strength on the degree of normal stress was determined. The adhesive behaviour of PBT/epoxy composites was investigated at cure temperatures of 55, 85, 115 and 215°C. Adhesive strengths of 3.5 and 8.2 MPa were measured in the absence of shear and normal stress, respectively, for samples cured at 55° C. A decrease in adhesive strength with increasing cure temperature was attributed to residual cure and thermal stresses. The fracture of these composites was predominantly adhesive, resulting in a clean delamination of the PBT film from the epoxy surface. A modified Tsai-Wu failure criterion is suggested for these composites.
Intracellular detection of viral nucleic acids

Successful clearance of a microbial infection depends on the concerted action of both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Accurate recognition of an invading pathogen is the first and most crucial step in eliciting effective antimicrobial defense mechanisms. In recent years, remarkable progress has been made towards understanding the molecular details of how the innate immune system recognizes microbial signatures, commonly called pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). For viral pathogens, nucleic acids-both viral genomes and viral replication products-represent a major class of PAMPs that trigger antiviral host responses via activation of germline-encoded innate immune receptors. Here we summarize recent advances in intracellular innate sensing mechanisms of viral RNA and DNA.
Diamond CVD by microwave plasmas in argon-diluted methane without or with 2% hydrogen additive

Abstract Many research groups have reported that when methane was diluted by argon for microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of diamond, growth of large-grain microcrystalline diamond (MCD) was suppressed, while nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) was deposited. We report for the first time the growth of well-faceted MCD by microwave plasma CVD in argon-diluted methane without molecular hydrogen additive or with only little (2%) hydrogen additive. High-density C2 radicals generated in the plasmas might be responsible for both the promotion of secondary nucleation of diamond for the growth of NCD in atomic hydrogen deficient environments and the promotion of the growth of large-grain diamond at the presence of adequate atomic hydrogen leading to the deposition of MCD. A nonuniform plasma ball was applied to grow both MCD and MCD simultaneous on the same silicon substrate in the same gas mixture.
Parental affective style and the treatment of schizophrenia. Predicting course of illness and social functioning.

• In a randomized controlled study, the affective style (AS) of parents of schizophrenics in clinic-based individual treatment groups and home-based family treatment groups was compared prior to treatment and again three months after treatment had begun. Affective style is an index reflecting the quality of the family emotional climate, measured from face-toface discussion. Pretherapy and posttherapy measures of negative AS were significantly predictive of relapse within the nine-month treatment period for patients in individual treatment. In addition, for both treatment groups, a negative AS pattern at the posttherapy reassessment was significantly associated with decreased patient social functioning, reduced ability of the family to absorb the family intervention, and lower capacity of the family to cope with everyday family stresses. The results suggest that AS is an important intrafamilial attribute, with implications for treatment strategy and planning.
ITER EDA project status

Abstract The status of the ITER design is as presented in the Interim Design Report accepted by the ITER council for considerations by ITER parties. Physical and technical parameters of the machine, conditions of operation of main nuclear systems, corresponding design and material choices are described, with conventional materials selected. To fully utilize the safety and economical potential of fusion advanced materials are necessary. ITER shall and can be built with materials already available. The ITER project and advanced fusion material developments can proceed in parallel. The role of ITER is to establish (experimentally) requirements to these materials and to provide a test bed for their final qualification in fusion reactor environment. To achieve this goal, the first wall/blanket modules test program is foreseen.
Pattern formation in directional solidification

The one-sided model for a nearly planar solidification front advancing at steady velocity is studied. The model neglects impurity diffusion in the solid; the interface is stabilized by the imposition of a thermal gradient. The front, located at ${z}_{s}={z}_{s}(x,y)$, is described by the coefficients ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}}$ of the Fourier expansion for ${z}_{s}$, and equations of motion ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}}={f}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}}({\ensuremath{\epsilon}})$ are derived in the approximation where the velocity $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{v}}$ of the interface is small. The functions ${f}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}}$ are expressed as infinite polynomials in the ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}$. Stationary solutions ${f}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}}=0$ are sought with the help of a consistent truncation scheme. Truncations which involve keeping terms of up to fifth order in ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}}$ are used. Stationary profiles for both one- and two-dimensional fronts are obtained numerically, whose features are in reasonable agreement with experimental observations. In particular, the one-dimensional solutions exhibit a relatively well-developed cellular structure; this is in contrast with what happens in more conventional analyses, where higher-order nonlinearities are not accounted for. The two-dimensional stationary interfaces are of various types, displaying twofold or sixfold symmetry. It appears to be the first time that calculations of two-dimensional structures are reported.
Interfacial polycondensation. III. Polyamides

Experimental details are given for the interfacial polycondensation of thirteen polyamides having widely different structures. The method involves the fast, room-temperature reaction in a two-phase system between diamines and diacid chlorides. Aliphatic, alicyclic, and aromatic reactants, primary and secondary diamines, and many reactants containing other functional groups are all operable. The preparations illustrate a variety of procedural modifications and point up the simplicity, rapidity, and broad applicability of the method.
A PCA-Based Vehicle Classification Framework

Due to its great practical importance, Intelligent Transportation System has been an active research area in recent years. In this paper, we present a framework that incorporates various aspects of an intelligent transportation system with its ultimate goal being vehicle classification. Given a traffic video sequence, the proposed system first proceeds to segment individual vehicles. Then the extracted vehicle objects are normalized so that all vehicles are aligned along the same direction and measured at the same scale. Following the preprocessing step, two classification algorithms - Eigenvehicle and PCA-SVM, are proposed and implemented to classify vehicle objects into trucks, passenger cars, vans, and pick-ups. These two methods exploit the distinguishing power of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) at different granularities with different learning mechanisms. Experiments are conducted to compare these two methods and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.