cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Another outlook on linear recursion

Recursion is a well known hurdle for computer science beginners. This powerful problem solving technique challenges both instructors and students on how to convey and learn this skill correctively and efficiently. In this paper, I presented an analogy-based approach to expound the theoretical detail of linear recursion.
Left ventricular shape as a determinant of functional mitral regurgitation in patients with severe heart failure secondary to either coronary artery disease or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Abstract The relation between left ventricular (LV) shape and functional mitral regurgitation (MR) was evaluated in 39 patients with congestive heart failure. Heart failure was due to coronary artery disease in 23 patients (group I) and to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in 16 (group II). LV shape was quantitated based on the ratio of LV major-to-minor axis and LV sphericity index calculated at end-systole and end-diastole. In group I, 9 patients had angiographic evidence of MR and 14 did not. In group II, 10 patients had MR and 6 did not. Within each group, there were no differences between patients with and without MR with regard to LV chamber volume and regional segmental wall motion abnormalities. In both groups, however, a significant difference was observed between patients with and without MR with respect to end-systolic and end-diastolic LV shape indexes. In group I, the end-systolic major-to-minor axis ratio was lower in patients with (1.42 ± 0.04) than without (1.72 ± 0.05) MR (p
Photo-electric effect in gases irradiated with high intensity laser light

Abstract An increase of the photon energy in a transverse compression of a high intensity laser beam is postulated to explain some experimental results of gas breakdown.
LIPOSUCTION OF THE THIGH

This article discusses liposuction of the thigh. All aspects of preoperative evaluation, anesthesia, operative technique, and postoperative care are reviewed. Issues relating to safety are emphasized as are aesthetic dimensions of liposuction of the thigh.
Silicon-on-sapphire integrated waveguides for the mid-infrared.

Silicon waveguides are now widely used to guide radiation in the near-infrared, mainly in the wavelength range of 1.1 – 2.2 µm. While low-loss waveguides at longer wavelengths in silicon have been proposed, experimental realization has been elusive. Here we show that single-mode integrated silicon-on-sapphire waveguides can be used at mid-infrared wavelengths. We demonstrate waveguiding at 4.5 µm, or 2222.2 cm−1, with losses of 4.3 ± 0.6 dB/cm. This result represents the first practical integrated waveguide system for the mid-infrared in silicon, and enables a range of new applications.
Generation of modulated vortices with a femtosecond laser and a programmable pulse shaper

Femtosecond optical vortices are created with a reflective programmable pulse shaper. Patterns include the spiral phase mask, blazed fork grating, and modulated spiral phase. The authors will discuss these results and present their latest work.
Exploring strategy use in a multiple-task environment: Effects of automation reliability and task properties

Automated aids are often provided to assist human operators in multitasking, high-workload situations. Introducing automation can reduce task demands and improve human performance. If the automatio...
Silicide formation and dopant diffusion in silicon.

Recently, we reported that formation of ${\mathrm{Pd}}_{2}$Si from Pd induced asymmetric diffusion of buried dopant marker layers in the silicon substrate at surprisingly low temperatures (\ensuremath{\sim}200 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C) [M. Wittmer, P. Fahey, G. J. Scilla, S. S. Iyer, and M. Tejwani, Phys. Rev. Lett. 66, 632 (1991)]. We concluded that asymmetric diffusion could not be readily explained within the framework of existing diffusion theories. In this investigation we have examined in detail whether the observed asymmetries in profile shapes after silicidation could be induced by the secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) profiling technique; however, we were unable to show that asymmetries can be attributed solely to the SIMS measurements. We have also utilized high-resolution Rutherford backscattering to confirm with another profiling technique that dopant diffusion does indeed occur as a result of the silicidation process.
Personal social networks and health: conceptual and clinical implications of their reciprocal impact.

Social networks affect positively or negatively a person’s health, and a person’s health affects, in turn, the network’s availability. This article discusses this double dynamic, recommends the routine exploration of patients’ social networks, and offers a mapping tool that allows detection of strengths and weaknesses of those processes so as to facilitate interventions that improve the social support’s health-enhancing effect.
Some questions in the theory and design of explosive plasma generators

Methods are presented for calculation of the thermophysical parameters of the plasma produced by operation of explosive plasma generators and for the design of such generators.
Obstacle problem for von Kármán equations

The free boundary value problem in obstacle problem for von Karman equations is studied. By using the method of complementarity analysis, Rockafellar's theory of duality is generalized to the nonlinear variational problems and a complementarity theory of obstacle problem for von Karman plates is established. We prove that the uniqueness and existence of solution directly depend on a complementary gap function. Moreover, a generalized dual extreme principle is established. We prove that the nonlinear primal variational inequality problem is eventually equivalent to a semi-quadratic dual optimization problem defined on a statically admissible space. This equivalence can be used to develop an effective numerical method for solving nonlinear free boundary value problems.
Creation and Characterization of an Ultrasound and CT Phantom for Noninvasive Ultrasound Thermometry Calibration

Ultrasound thermometry provides noninvasive 2-D temperature monitoring, and in this paper, we have investigated the use of computed tomography (CT) radiodensity to characterize tissues to improve the accuracy of ultrasound thermometry. Agarose-based tissue-mimicking phantoms were created with glyceryl trioleate (a fat-mimicking material) concentration of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. The speed of sound (SOS) of the phantoms was measured over a temperature range of 22.1-41.1 °C. CT images of the phantoms were acquired by a clinical dedicated breast CT scanner, followed by calculation of the Hounsfield units (HU). The phantom was heated with a therapeutic acoustic pulse (1.54 MHz), while RF data were acquired with a 10-MHz linear-array transducer. Two-dimensional speckle tracking was used to calculate the thermal strain offline. The tissue-dependent thermal strain parameter required for ultrasound thermometry was analyzed and correlated with CT radiodensity, followed by the validation of the temperature prediction. Results showed that the change in SOS with the temperature increase was opposite in sign between the 0%-10% and 20%-50% trioleate phantoms. The inverse of the tissue-dependent thermal strain parameter of the phantoms was correlated with the CT radiodensity (R2 = 0.99). A blinded ultrasound thermometry study on phantoms with a trioleate range of 5%-35% demonstrated the capability to estimate the tissue-dependent thermal strain parameter and estimate temperature with error less than ~1 °C. In conclusion, CT radiodensity may provide a method for improving ultrasound thermometry in heterogeneous tissues.
Abundance of Cardiochiles nigriceps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on Nicotiana Species (Solanaceae)

The presence of adult Cardiochiles nigriceps Viereck, a nearly obligatory parasitoid of tobacco budworm laIvae, Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), was monitored in fields with up to 117 accessions of Nicotiana species (Solanaceae) during 1985 – 1994 at Oxford, NC, Tifton, GA, and Athens, GA. Large numbers of wasps were obselVed flying over or resting on several Nicotiana species, especially N. noctiflora Hooker and N. sandeare Hort. ex Watson (hybrid between N. alata Link & Otto and N. forgetiana Hort. ex Hemsley). During the 10-yr sampling period, an average of 60 times as many C. nigriceps adults were counted in N. noctiflora plots and 19 times as many wasps were counted in N. sanderae plots than were found in commercial tobacco, N. tabacum L. (‘NC 2326’), even though N. noctiflora and N. sanderae are poor host plants for tobacco budworm larvae. Male wasps predominated in plots of N. noctiflora ; whereas, female wasps predominated in cultivated tobacco fields. There were no significant differences in the sex ratios of wasps collected from N. alata or N. sanderae. C. nigriceps adults were associated primarily with the flowers of N. sanderae , N. alata , and N. forgetiana , but they were found equally on the leaves and flowers of N. noctiflora. C. nigriceps adults appeared to be attracted to volatile components from N. noctiflora leaves and flowers. Several kilograms of field-grown N. noctiflora flowers and leaves were extracted with methylene chloride, and the volatile components were isolated. Gas chromatography showed only 4 volatile peaks of interest in N. noctiflora , and they were identified as nitrogen-sulfur heterocycles.
A Large-scale and Decentralized Infrastructure for Multiple Queries Optimization and Aggregation

Leveraging DHTs (distributed hash table), we propose a novel architecture, which applies multiple query optimization technique to efficiently aggregate queries in large scale distributed networks. We target applications that continuously query the data sources and manipulate a large amount of query results. Our goal is to implement system components to aggregate distributed queries in the network, so as to (1) reduce the overhead (CPU cycles, disk I/O etc.) on the data source nodes for query evaluation; (2) save the overall network bandwidth cost for delivering queries and the query results. To deal with the skewed load distribution, we also provide load balancing mechanisms to ensure that no node in the system is unduly loaded. The simulation results show that the proposed architecture can efficiently distribute the query processing in the network and significantly reduce the number of queries evaluated on the data source nodes. The network bandwidth consumption is largely reduced by eliminating the transmission of common data items.
Reduced-temperature firing of solid oxide fuel cells with zirconia/ceria bi-layer electrolytes

Abstract Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with bi-layer Zirconia/Ceria electrolytes have been studied extensively because of their great potential for producing high power density at reduced operating temperature, important for reducing cost and thereby allowing broader SOFC commercialization. The bi-layer electrolytes are designed to take advantage of the high oxygen ion conductivity of Ceria, the low electronic conductivity of Zirconia, and the low reactivity of Ceria with high-performance cathodes. However, zirconia/ceria processing has proven problematic due to interdiffusion during high temperature co-firing, or ceria layer porosity after two-step firing. Here we first show a new method for bi-layer co-firing at a reduced temperature of 1250 °C, ∼150 °C lower than the usual sintering temperature, achieved using Fe2O3 as a sintering aid. This novel process enables high power density SOFCs by producing: (1) low-resistance Y0.16Zr0.92O2−δ (YSZ)/Gd0.1Ce0.9O1.95 (GDC) electrolytes that also yield high open-circuit voltage, (2) dense GDC layers that prevent reactions between highly-active La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Co0.2O3 (LSFC) cathode materials and YSZ, and (3) Ni–YSZ anodes with high electrochemical activity due to fine-scale microstructure with high TPB densities.
Cholinesterase activity in trained and nontrained rats.

Cholinesterase activity in trained and nontrained rats was investigated in 50 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Half of this number had been trained in motor driven activity cages. Significant differences in resting heart rates and heart weights indicated that the program had been successful in producing a trained state. Atria and ventricular cholinesterase activities were appraised with a differential respirometer. Acetylcholine (ACH) was utilized as the universal substrate whereas acetyl-B-methylcholine (MCH) and butyrlcholine (BCH) were employed as substrates for Group I (ACHE) and Group II (CHE) type enzymes respectively. As noted by previous investigators, atria and ventricular CHE activity was significantly higher than ACHE. Moreover, the atria had higher ACHE and CHE activity than the ventricles. Training had no significant influence on myocardial cholinesterase (ACHE and CHE) activity.
Bacillus thuringiensis gene deployment and resistance management in single‐ and multi‐tactic environments

The effectiveness of two resistance management strategies (RMS) for transgenic crops was examined via simulation in single‐tactic (all fields in a population use the same strategy) and multi‐tactic (fields either employ transgenic plants or are treated by foliar Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) applications) environments. The life tables and response to selection used in the simulations resembled those of a simplified, heliothine‐like species. In single‐tactic environments, the refuge strategy was the most effective approach for delaying the evolution of resistance to toxin genes incorporated into plants. Resistance was delayed most when pure stands of transgenic plants were used with no refugia and the reproductive capacity of the insect was low because the entire population became extinct, though this result may be dependent on the small population size examined (nine fields). With higher levels of reproduction, however, this strategy resulted in rapid evolution of resistance. When the insect populations wer...
Measurement of the Photoionization Cross Section in the Resonance Continuum of C i Using a Wall-Stabilized Arc*

A wall-stabilized high-current (100 A) arc was operated in argon at a pressure of 1 atm. Different gases (CO2, O2) could be added to the plasma. Temperature, electron, ion, and atom densities have been determined by spectroscopic observations in the visible and in the vacuum-ultraviolet (vuv) regions of the spectrum, assuming local thermal equilibrium. These values, together with the absolute emission intensities in the vuv region between 980 and 1250 A, allowed the calculation of the photoionization cross section of carbon. This experimental value compared well with previously published theoretical calculations: it was 19×10−18 cm2 at threshold.
Piezoelectric solid with an elliptic inclusion or hole

The two-dimensional problem of an elliptic hole in a solid of anisotropic piezoelectric material is studied. The Stroh formalism is adopted here. Real form solutions are obtained along the hole boundary in the case of an arbitrarily prescribed vector field on the hole surface. For an elliptic rigid inclusion of electric conductor subjected to a line force, a torque, and a line charge, a real form solution at the interface is obtained. Finally, general solutions for an elliptic piezoelectric inclusion with uniform loading at infinity are investigated.
Synthesis and evaluation of in vitro bioactivity for vesicular acetylcholine transporter inhibitors containing two carbonyl groups

Abstract To identify selective high-affinity ligands for the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), we have incorporated a carbonyl group into the structures of trozamicol and prezamicol scaffolds, and also converted the secondary amines of the piperidines of trozamicols and prezamicols into amides. Of 18 new racemic compounds, 4 compounds displayed high affinity for VAChT (Ki = 10–20 nM) and greater than 300-fold selectivity for VAChT over σ1 and σ2 receptors, namely (4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-4′-hydroxy-[1,3′-bipiperidin]-1′-yl)(3-methylthiophen-2-yl)methanone oxalate (9g) (Ki-VAChT = 11.4 nM, VAChT/σ1 = 1063, VAChT/σ2 = 370), (1′-benzoyl-4′-hydroxy-[1,3′-bipiperidin]-4-yl)(4-methoxyphenyl)methanone oxalate (10c) (Ki-VAChT = 15.4 nM, VAChT/σ1 = 374, VAChT/σ2 = 315), (4′-hydroxy-1′-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-[1,3′-bipiperidin]-4-yl)(4-methoxyphenyl)methanone oxalate (10e) (Ki-VAChT = 19.0 nM, VAChT/σ1 = 1787, VAChT/σ2 = 335), and (4′-hydroxy-1′-(3-methylthiophene-2-carbonyl)-[1,3′-bipiperidin]-4-yl)(4-methoxyphenyl)methanone oxalate (10g) (Ki-VAChT = 10.2 nM, VAChT/σ1 = 1500, VAChT/σ2 = 2030). These four compounds can be radiosynthesized with C-11 or F-18 to validate their possibilities of serving as PET probes for quantifying the levels of VAChT in vivo.
Sensitization of Escherichia coli to Radiation by Bromouracil: Excessive Post-Irradiation Breakdown of Deoxyribonucleic Acid without Concomitant Synthesis

Sensitization of Escherichia coli to Radiation by Bromouracil: Excessive Post-Irradiation Breakdown of Deoxyribonucleic Acid without Concomitant Synthesis
Regional Leaders in the Diffusion of Tort Innovations among the American States

Many studies have analyzed the diffusion of legislative policies, but relatively little work has been done on the spread ofjudicial innovations. An analysis of the spread of eight tort doctrines among the American states indicates that there were clear regional leaders, including some states that were not early adopters of the innovations but still served as leaders for their neighbors. There was little relationship between being a regional leaderfor legislative adoptions and being a regional leader in judicial adoptions, indicating that different processes influenced diffusion in these two arenas of state political activity.
Quantitative measurement of radial head fracture location.

Background The most common location of a displaced fracture of part of the radial head is often described as the anterior lateral aspect of the radial head with the forearm in neutral position, based on observation rather than precise measurements. The purpose of our study was to measure the exact location of fractures involving part of the radial head using quantitative 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT). Materials and methods We measured the fracture lines with respect to the biceps tuberosity in 24 patients with a displaced articular fracture of part of the radial head (Mason type 2). Two observers preformed each measurement twice. Reliability was measured using the concordance correlation coefficient according to Lin. Results The average start of the fracture was 97° (standard deviation [SD]) 48.3°; range 31°-254°) clockwise from the biceps tuberosity, the average end of the fracture was 241.6° (SD, 61.0; range 19°-330°), and the average fracture subtends was 170° (SD, 32.8°; range 99°-252°). The fracture was through the anterolateral quadrant of the radial head in 22 of the 24 patients and through the posteromedial quadrant in 2 patients. Conclusion This quantitative analysis of CT scans of displaced articular fractures of part of the radial head (Mason type 2) confirms that the most common location is the anterolateral quadrant with the forearm in neutral rotation. Given the important role of the radial head in elbow stability, more accurate characterization of incomplete radial head fractures may improve our understanding of treatment and outcome of these fractures.
Simultaneous double discrimination response following brain bisection

The performance of two choice reactions, one with each hand, in response to two visual discrimination tasks presented simultaneously, one in each half of the visual field, normally takes much longer than the performance of either one alone. In commissurotomized human patients, however, the double task was performed as rapidly as the single task. The results conform with the view that the neocortical commissures serve to unify adjustment to the visual world (Gazzaniga et al, 1965) and their presence tends to prevent the two half brains from making discordant volitional decisions.
BLAKE: A language designed for Programming I

The process of comprehending a problem, strategically developing a solution and translating the solution into an algorithm is arguably the single most important series of skills acquired during the education of an undergraduate computer science or information technology major. With this in mind, much care should be taken when choosing a programming language to deploy in the first University programming course. BLAKE, Beginners Language for Acquiring Key programming Essentials, is designed specifically for use in a Programming I class. BLAKE aids in enforcing fundamental object-oriented practices while simultaneously facilitating the transition to subsequent programming languages. BLAKE's major features include; consistent parameter passing, single inheritance, non-redundant control structures, a simple development environment, and hardware independent data types. The syntax remains relatively small while still facilitating a straightforward transition to industry standard programming languages.
Sox2 Is an Androgen Receptor-Repressed Gene That Promotes Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Despite advances in detection and therapy, castration-resistant prostate cancer continues to be a major clinical problem. The aberrant activity of stem cell pathways, and their regulation by the Androgen Receptor (AR), has the potential to provide insight into novel mechanisms and pathways to prevent and treat advanced, castrate-resistant prostate cancers. To this end, we investigated the role of the embryonic stem cell regulator Sox2 [SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 2] in normal and malignant prostate epithelial cells. In the normal prostate, Sox2 is expressed in a portion of basal epithelial cells. Prostate tumors were either Sox2-positive or Sox2-negative, with the percentage of Sox2-positive tumors increasing with Gleason Score and metastases. In the castration-resistant prostate cancer cell line CWR-R1, endogenous expression of Sox2 was repressed by AR signaling, and AR chromatin-IP shows that AR binds the enhancer element within the Sox2 promoter. Likewise, in normal prostate epithelial cells and human embryonic stem cells, increased AR signaling also decreases Sox2 expression. Resistance to the anti-androgen MDV3100 results in a marked increase in Sox2 expression within three prostate cancer cell lines, and in the castration-sensitive LAPC-4 prostate cancer cell line ectopic expression of Sox2 was sufficient to promote castration-resistant tumor formation. Loss of Sox2 expression in the castration-resistant CWR-R1 prostate cancer cell line inhibited cell growth. Up-regulation of Sox2 was not associated with increased CD133 expression but was associated with increased FGF5 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 5) expression. These data propose a model of elevated Sox2 expression due to loss of AR-mediated repression during castration, and consequent castration-resistance via mechanisms not involving induction of canonical embryonic stem cell pathways.
Mitigating Parameter Variation with Dynamic Fine-Grain Body Biasing

Parameter variation is detrimental to a processor's frequency and leakage power. One proposed technique to mitigate it is Fine-Grain Body Biasing (FGBB), where different parts of the processor chip are given a voltage bias that changes the speed and leakage proper- ties of their transistors. This technique has been proposed for static application, with the bias voltages being programmed at manufac- turing time for worst-case conditions. In this paper, we introduce Dynamic FGBB (D-FGBB), which allows the continuous re-evaluation of the bias voltages to adapt to dynamic conditions. Our results show that D-FGBB is very versa- tile and effective. Specifically, with the processor working in nor- mal mode at fixed frequency, D-FGBB reduces the leakage power of the chip by an average of 28 42% compared to static FGBB. Alternatively, with the processor working in a high-performance mode, D-FGBB increases the processor frequency by an average of 7 9% compared to static FGBB -- or 7 16% compared to no body biasing. Finally, we also show that D-FGBB can be syner- gistically combined with Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS), creating an effective means to manage power.
The Causal Autonomy of Reason Explanations and How Not to Worry about Causal Deviance

This essay will defend a causal conception of action explanations in terms of an agent’s reasons by delineating a metaphysical and epistemic framework that allows us to view folk psychology as providing us with causal and autonomous explanatory strategies of accounting for individual agency. At the same time, I will calm philosophical concerns about the issue of causal deviance that have been at the center of the recent debates between causalist and noncausalist interpretations of action explanations. For that purpose, it is important to realize that the domain of folk-psychological action explanation is also the domain of skillful and goal-directed bodily movements, a domain to which we have independent epistemic access.
Vested Interests: Cross-dressing and Cultural Anxiety

Introduction List of Plates Part One: Transvestite Logics 1. Dress Codes or the Theatricality of Difference 2. Cross-Dress for Success 3. The Transvestite's Progress 4. Spare Parts: The Surgical Construction of Gender 5. Fetish Envy 6. Breaking the Code: Transvestitism and Gay Identity Part Two: Transvestite Effects 7. Fear of Flying or Why is Peter Pan a Woman 8. Cherchez la Femme: Cross-Dressing in Detective Fiction 9. Religious Habits 10. Phantoms of the Opera: Actor, Diplomat, Transvestite, Spy 11. Black and White TV: Cross-Dressing the Colour Line 12. The Chic of Araby: Transvestitism and the Erotics of Cultural Appropriation 13.The Transvestite Continuum: Liberace-Valentino-Elvis Conclusion a tergo : Red Riding Hood and the Wolf in Bed.
What have exotic plant invasions taught us over the past 20 years

Invasive organisms have become a focal interest in ecology, owing not only to the tremendous destruction that they can cause, but also because we do not yet understand fully how they change from being minor components of their native communities to dominant components of invaded communities. Here, we discuss our perceptions of how the study of exotic plant species has contributed to the changing face of ecology over the past 20 years. Research on invasive organisms has promoted synthetic efforts between fields that have historically operated in isolation. Most importantly, the study of invasions has resulted in significant intellectual shifts in the way that old paradigms are perceived by ecologists and have led us into new and uncharted territory.
Why is connectivity in developing regions expensive: policy challenges more than technical limitations?

I present analysis examining some of the causes of poor connectivity in developing countries. Based on a techno-economic analysis and design, I show that technical limitations per se are not the bottleneck for widespread connectivity; rather, design, policy, and regulatory challenges dominate.
The Magic of Mother’s Milk

With the exception of the transmission of HIV and hepatitis viruses via breast milk, the myriad of benefits of breastfeeding are compelling. In a systematic review by Heinig and Dewey (1), breastfeeding for 6–12 months in developed countries is associated with a decrease in the incidence and/or severity of diarrhea, respiratory infections, otitis media, bacteremia, bacterial meningitis, botulism, urinary tract infection, and necrotizing enterocolitis in infants. Other possible beneficial effects of human milk are reported in such broad areas as sudden infant death syndrome, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease, other digestive diseases, lymphoma, allergic disease, cognitive development, and visual acuity (1). The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study reported that breastfeeding was protective in the development of childhood type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (2). For the infant, these beneficial effects may, in part, be derived from milk constituents that impact passive and innate immunity and protect the gastrointestinal tract through the action of the multiple and complex glycans, hormones including insulin (3,4), and mammary mRNAs (5,6) and microRNAs (7,8). The precise mechanism(s) by which these factors protect the health of the neonate are only now being slowly elucidated. Breastfeeding is not only beneficial to the child but increasing evidence suggests that it is beneficial to the mother as well. Successful lactation improves maternal glucose tolerance (9), plasma lipid, and C-reactive protein values (10). Since a lactating woman transfers between 400 to 600 kcal per day to her infant, …
Addressing engineering educators’ concerns: Collaborative learning and achievement

Recent calls for engineering education reform have included collaborative learning as a means to prepare students for future careers in engineering. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of collaboration and self-efficacy on undergraduate engineering studentspsila achievement. The results indicated significant positive correlations between collaborative learning and course grade (r = .29) and self-efficacy and course grade (r = .44). The linear combination of collaboration and self-efficacy accounted for 22% of the variance in course grade. Collaborative learning remained a significant predictor of course grade over and above self-efficacy. The results showed that students engaging in collaboration with peers achieved at higher levels than those who did not. In a field where individual work and competition has traditionally been valued, opportunities for collaboration may be beneficial to studentspsila academic achievement.
Stat1 and Stat2 but not Stat3 arbitrate contradictory growth signals elicited by alpha/beta interferon in T lymphocytes.

Alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) triggers antiviral and antiproliferative responses in target cells through modulation of gene expression. The JAK-STAT pathway is the major mediator of these biological effects through the activation of the transcription factors STAT1 and STAT2, and gene ablation studies have demonstrated that both STAT1 and STAT2 are required for most antiviral responses induced by IFN-α/β. However, additional signaling pathways are also activated by IFN. Here, we show that these additional pathways provoke a proliferative response in activated T lymphocytes. While activation of IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 produces a dominant inhibitory signal capable of overriding the mitogenic response, absence of either STAT1 or STAT2 leads to a proliferative response to IFN. Growth stimulation by IFN-α/β is independent of other STAT proteins, particularly of STAT3, since T lymphocytes from STAT1-STAT3 double-knockout mice are growth stimulated by IFN-α/β treatment. IFN-α/β can cooperate with numerous T-cell mitogens, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-7, and IL-12, and can contribute to the rapid restoration of the thymus following glucocorticoid-mediated ablation. These results underscore the complexity of the cellular response to IFN and suggest that the ultimate outcome of IFN action results from a balance between growth-inhibitory and -stimulatory effects.
Zoonoses in Solid-Organ and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Numerous reports exist of the transmission of zoonoses to humans during and after solid-organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Donor-derived infections of numerous etiologies, including West Nile virus infection, Chagas disease, toxoplasmosis, rabies, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection, and infection due to Brucella species have been reported. Most zoonoses occur as a primary infection after transplantation, and immunocompromised patients are more likely to experience significant morbidity and mortality from these infections. Risks of zoonotic infection in the posttransplantation period could be reduced by patient education. Increased recognition of the risks of zoonoses, as well as the advent of molecular biology-based testing, will potentially augment diagnostic aptitude. Documented zoonotic infection as it affects transplantation will be the primary focus of this review.
1+N Protection Against Multiple Link Failures in Mesh Networks

In [1], the author presented a 1+N protection strategy against single link failures using a network coding approach on p-Cycles. In this paper, we extend this approach to protect against multiple link failures. For the network to be protected against M link failures, M p-Cycles are used. The connections sharing a certain cycle must have link disjoint paths, and they encode their transmitted and received data units on two counter rotating half cycles on each of the two cycles. To recover from m link failures using M cycles, where 1 les m les M, the data units are encoded on the cycles in such a way that each node affected by failures should recover m linearly independent combinations of the m units affected by the failures. To illustrate the concept, we show how to protect against two link failures, and describe in detail the encoding and decoding processes.
High‐Energy Density Dielectrics and Capacitors for Elevated Temperatures: Ca(Zr,Ti)O3

The Ca(Zr1−xTix)O3 (CZT) solid solution system is a linear dielectric that is of interest for high-temperature power capacitor applications. This dielectric was synthesized by conventional solid-state processes and prototyped into single-layer CZT capacitors, which were fabricated with interdigitated electrodes cofired between dielectric layers ~10-μm thick. The dielectric properties of these capacitors were extensively investigated as a function of Zr/Ti ratio on the CaZrO3 side of the solid solution. The electrostatic energy density and breakdown strength of the CZT capacitors were investigated by measuring polarization–electric field curves as a function of temperature from room temperature to 250°C. The Ca(Zr0.80Ti0.20)O3 capacitors show high electrostatic energy density of 4 J/cm3 at 250°C. Highly accelerated life testing (HALT) was also performed on these dielectrics, and we quantified the thermal stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) to access the major point defects in the CZT system.
Geostationary Orbit Transfers Using Solar Electric Propulsion with Specific Impulse Modulation

Maximum-payload transfers to geostationary orbit are computed for solar-electric-propulsion spacecraft that employ specific impulse (or equivalently thrust) modulation. The optimal specific impulse profile is obtained by using a direct optimization method that is based on a calculus of variations approach. Engine models with both constant and variable efficiency are considered, and constant input power is assumed. Numerical simulations show that varying specific impulse for a Hall thruster increases the delivered payload mass when compared to transfers with a fixed specific impulse. When thruster efficiency remains constant, modulating specific impulse increases transportation rate (the payload mass advantage over a chemical-propulsion transfer divided by transfer time) by about 5-6%. However, when a more realistic variable-efficiency thruster model is applied, the transportation rate gain from thrust modulation is diminished by a factor of three. This analysis demonstrates that modulating specific impulse would offer little payload delivery gain for geostationary-orbit-raising missions using realistic Hall-thruster models.
Attentional Biases for Emotional Faces in Young Children of Mothers with Chronic or Recurrent Depression

Attentional biases for negative stimuli have been observed in school-age and adolescent children of depressed mothers and may reflect a vulnerability to depression. The direction of these biases and whether they can be identified in early childhood remains unclear. The current study examined attentional biases in 5–7-year-old children of depressed and non-depressed mothers. Following a mood induction, children participated in a dot-probe task assessing biases for sad and happy faces. There was a significant interaction of group and sex: daughters of depressed mothers attended selectively to sad faces, while children of controls and sons of depressed mothers did not exhibit biases. No effects were found for happy stimuli. These findings suggest that attentional biases are discernible in early childhood and may be vulnerability markers for depression. The results also raise the possibility that sex differences in cognitive biases are evident before the emergence of sex differences in the prevalence of depression.
Mandatory Influenza Vaccination of Health Care Workers: Translating Policy to Practice

Background Influenza vaccination of health care workers has been recommended since 1984. Multiple strategies to enhance vaccination rates have been suggested, but national rates have remained low. Methods BJC HealthCare is a large Midwestern health care organization with approximately 26,000 employees. Because organizational vaccination rates remained below target levels, influenza vaccination was made a condition of employment for all employees in 2008. Medical or religious exemptions could be requested. Predetermined medical contraindications include hypersensitivity to eggs, prior hypersensitivity reaction to influenza vaccine, and history of Guillan-Barre syndrome. Medical exemption requests were reviewed by occupational health nurses and their medical directors. Employees who were neither vaccinated nor exempted by 15 December 2008 were not scheduled for work. Employees still not vaccinated or exempt by 15 January 2009 were terminated. Results Overall, 25,561 (98.4%) of 25,980 active employees were vaccinated. Ninety employees (0.3%) received religious exemptions, and 321 (1.2%) received medical exemptions. Eight employees (0.03%) were not vaccinated or exempted. Reasons for medical exemption included allergy to eggs (107 [33%]), prior allergic reaction or allergy to other vaccine component (83 [26%]), history of Guillan-Barre syndrome (15 [5%]), and other (116 [36%]), including 14 because of pregnancy. Many requests reflected misinformation about the vaccine. Conclusions A mandatory influenza vaccination campaign successfully increased vaccination rates. Fewer employees sought medical or religious exemptions than had signed declination statements during the previous year. A standardized medical exemption request form would simplify the request and review process for employees, their physicians, and occupational health and will be used next year.
Thermal biofeedback for claudication in diabetes: a literature review and case study.

Temperature biofeedback (TBFB) is designed to alter cutaneous temperature in treated extremities by providing information corresponding to minor temperature fluctuations in the context of therapeutic structure and reinforcement. Toe TBFB may improve vascular flow and walking tolerance in patients with peripheral vascular disease. This case study documents improved walking in a diabetes patient with lower extremity complications, and suggests TBFB might increase lower extremity temperature and blood flow volume pulse in uncomplicated diabetes. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) and walking function were assessed in a 60-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes and intermittent claudication, before and after five sessions of TBFB applied to the ventral surface of the great toe. Toe temperature increased during feedback phases but not during baseline phases. Improvements were seen in ankle-brachial index, walking distance, walking speed, and stair climbing. This case indicates the need for extended and controlled study of TBFB for improved vascular and ambulatory function in diabetic claudication. (Altern Med Rev 1999;4(2):104-110)
Toward finding an universal search algorithm for swarm robots

We present a novel cooperative search algorithm for distributed, independent swarm robots. The focus of this paper is three fold: (1) identify fundamental issues associated with searching an area by multiple robots; (2) design a metric to measure the cooperation among multiple robots to complete a search; and (3) propose an effective search algorithm for swarm robots.
The Correlation of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory with Depression and Anxiety in Veterans with Tinnitus

Objective. The mechanisms of tinnitus are known to alter neuronal circuits in the brainstem and cortex, which are common to several comorbid conditions. This study examines the relationship between tinnitus and anxiety/depression. Subjects and Methods. Ninety-one male veterans with subjective tinnitus were enrolled in a Veterans Affairs Tinnitus Clinic. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) was used to assess tinnitus severity. ICD-9 codes for anxiety/depression were used to determine their prevalence. Pure tone averages (PTA) were used to assess hearing status. Results. Descriptive analyses revealed that 79.1% of the 91 tinnitus sufferers had a diagnosis of anxiety, 59.3% had depression, and 58.2% suffered from both anxiety/depression. Patients with anxiety had elevated total THI scores as compared to patients without anxiety (p < 0.05). Patients with anxiety or depression had significantly increased Functional and Emotional THI scores, but not Catastrophic THI score. Significant positive correlations were illustrated between the degree of tinnitus and anxiety/depression (p < 0.05). There were no differences in PTA among groups. Conclusions. A majority of patients with tinnitus exhibited anxiety and depression. These patients suffered more severe tinnitus than did patients without anxiety and depression. The data support the need for multidisciplinary intervention of veterans with tinnitus.
The Stuffy Nose

■ A thorough history combined with a methodical physical examination including endoscopy is required when evaluating a patient with a stuffy nose.
Qualitative Research: Its Time has Come:

The purpose of this paper is to show the efficacy of qualitative research methodology for certain kinds of hospitality industry research. Qualitative research is contrasted with quantitative resear...
Prescribing spectacles by confirmed autorefraction

Prescribing spectacles for children too young to cooperate with subjective refinement of refraction requires that the refractive error be estimated by objective means. Clinical studies frequently employ autorefractors for measurement of refractive error, as they have been shown to have reproducibility that is superior to that of a retinoscopist.1 However, reproducibility does not equate to accuracy, and so for instances where the measurement is being used to prescribe spectacles, it is important that the accuracy of the autorefractor be confirmed.
Chromosome Studies of Primates

Chromosome numbers were determined for the platyrrhine genera Callithrix (2n=46), Leontocebus (2n=46), and Callimico (2n=48). The karyotypes of the two marmoset genera are virtually identical. It is suggested that the marmosets are specialized for their mode of existence, rather than truly primitive.
An investigation of the parametric excitation of an eccentrically tensioned bar

Results of an investigation of the parametric excitation of an eccentrically tensioned bar are presented. Two distinct types of resonant behavior are observed. For one, the excitation-response frequency ratio is one and, for the other, the ratio is two. In germs of oscillation amplitude and size of the region of parameter space in which resonance occurs, the latter response exhibits the greater potential for producing damage. The transition from small to large amplitude oscillations occurs abruptly and coincides with the occurrence of a snap-through behavior.
Storage of the mass-produced predator Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): influence of photoperiod, temperature, and diet

Short- and long-term storage (shelf-life) of diapausing Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) adults can be achieved efficiently through manipulation of photoperiod, temperature, and diet. Short-term storage (up to 10 wk) was accomplished under short day lengths (10 :14-8:16 [L :D] h) at temperatures up to 21°C. Storage of 10-18 wk was accomplished at relatively low storage temperatures (5-10°C). Long-term storage (18-31 wk or longer) was most efficient when pupae or young adults experienced a decrease in day length and diapausing adults were maintained under very short day length (8 :16 [L :D] h) at 5°C ; under these conditions, reproduction by poststorage adults equaled that of unstored adults. High survival and excellent poststorage reproduction occurred when the animals received a high carbohydrate diet before storage and a carbohydrate and protein diet during and after storage.
The Positive Study on Innovative Capacity of China's Agricultural Science and Technology

The paper establishes the index system which evaluates the innovation capabilities of agricultural science and technology of China based on the characteristics of China's agricultural research system.And it employs the factor analysis method to do the empirical analysis about the innovation capabilities of agricultural science and technology of all provinces(districts/municipanities) of China in 2007 and ranked the results,which provides the scientific reference for the policymakers.
The Monitor Result and Analysis of Milk Products in Guangzhou in 2003 ～2004

Objective To investigate the sanitary problem of dairy produc ts in Guangzhou. Method The result of our surveillance in 2003～2004 was statis tically analyzed and the manufactory process that might lead to sanitary problem was also analyzed. Results The passing rates of quality control of dairy produ cts in 2003 and 2004 are 86.32%,and 85.19% respectively. Although the passing ra te in 2003 is slightly higher than in 2004, but the difference is not significan t. Conclusions Each step in the production line may affect the sanitariness of the finished product. The manufacturer should monitor the sanitary of each key s tep in the production line according to HACCP production management principle.
Antibodies to human spermatozoa impede sperm penetration of cervical mucus or hamster eggs

Antisperm antibodies from infertile patients and men with vasectomies can impede human sperm penetration of hamster eggs. When human spermatozoa were exposed to antisperm antibodies, six samples totally blocked and another ten significantly reduced sperm penetration, and only two samples yielded results comparable with those obtained with normal serum. The penetration rate was 59% for the control sera; the test serum rate was 15%. Ninety percent caused a reduction in egg penetration. The IgG fraction caused a reduction similar to that of whole serum. Antisperm antibodies can also reduce sperm penetration of cervical mucus. We found that 21% of the serum samples reduced mucus penetration. No specific antisperm antibody type (agglutination, immobilization, or antibodies as revealed by immunofluorescence) always prevented cervical mucus penetration or sperm penetration of hamster eggs. Furthermore, exposure to even high titers of antibodies in some serum samples did not result in total prevention of sperm penetration either of hamster eggs or cervical mucus, an indication that only certain antibody types prevent chances of fertility. The use of sperm penetration assays may be valuable tools with which to determine (1) the fertilizability of semen from men who exhibit seminal antisperm antibodies and (2) the importance of various antibodies in the prevention of fertilization.
Postoperative Controversies in the Management of Free Flap Surgery in the Head and Neck

Free tissue transfer is the gold standard for reconstructing head and neck defects. Free flap success approaches 95% in centers with experience, affording unparalleled ability to restore form and function in cancer, trauma, or other major composite tissue loss. It is critical to manage the perioperative variables that predict success; several areas of controversy have not yet reached consensus. This review focuses on postoperative anticoagulation, fluid management, and flap monitoring methods. These areas of controversy potentially influence flap survival. We review published practices considered within the standard of care, why controversy remains, and future directions to reach standardization.