cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Technology and Teaching Culture: What Spanish Teachers Do

This study gathered data on Spanish public school teachers' use of existing technologies to teach culture. A questionnaire gathered data on teacher background, use of technology, competence to teach culture, the inclusion of culture courses in degree programs, and courses on teaching culture. Observations over a three-year period provided snapshots of what teachers did. Findings from the study revealed that teachers neglect the teaching of culture, continuing to show a preference for the simpler technologies like television and video recorders. There was very little use of more interactive technologies such as the Internet. Data also indicate that teachers prefer to focus on teaching grammar and vocabulary, and on developing reading and writing skills, because department tests focus on these aspects. The teachers felt they were competent to teach culture but were constrained by time and a lack of resources.
Accelerating architecture research

With the recent demonstration of 32nm processors we have seen Moore's law providing another large increase in the number of transistors. While more transistors provides architects with a great opportunity, I believe we have been observing increasing challenges in finding the most effective uses for these transistors. Design team size, mask costs and fabrication costs are all increasing, thus there is increasing desire to make the right decisions about which research ideas to bring forward to design. Unfortunately, our existing evaluation methodologies are proving increasingly ineffective at providing compelling evidence that a new idea warrants inclusion in future designs. In this talk, I will elaborate on these challenges and discuss some approaches to improve on our ability to prove the merit of architectural ideas. In particular, there is a recent movement toward using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) as the basis for the evaluating future systems. Therefore, I will outline the alternative approaches to using FPGAs with an emphasis on using FPGAs to do performance modeling. But designing hardware models is far more complicated than writing software models, so included in the discussion will be techniques to reduce that complexity. These will include a practical approach to modularizing the model, separation of the functional and timing aspects of the simulation, and additional infrastructure important for performance modeling.
Effects of Fertilization on Grasshopper Grazing of Northern Gulf of Mexico Salt Marshes

Grazing frequency, grazing intensity, plant health, and grazer abundances were examined under two different fertilization regimes and compared to unfertilized areas of Juncus roemerianus (black needlerush) marsh. These mea- surementsweretakeninthreeseparatesites:twolowelevation sites and one highelevation site. Fertilizerwas added overone grazing season (April-August) with measurements taken over the same time period at each site. In general, grazing frequen- cy and intensity was higher in the fertilized treatments than unfertilized treatment; however, plant health was similar among treatments. Relative grazer abundance was higher in thefertilizedtreatmentsthanunfertilized.Fromtheseresults,it can be suggested that black needlerush grazers preferentially congregate and graze in areas of marsh with higher nutrient content in the leaves. However, the effects of this increased grazing on plant health (leaf lengths, biomass, and percent living biomass) were small after one grazing season. This information furthers our understanding of the potential effects of anthropogenic eutrophication on salt marshes and can be used by managers focusing on conservation and restoration of black needlerush.
Alcohol use among firefighters in the Central United States

with a response rate of 97%. Career firefighters drank approximately 10 days per month (just about half of their off duty days) and drank relatively heavily on those days. Fifty-eight per cent of career and 40% of volunteer firefighters averaged three or more drinks and similar percentages reported binge drinking on the days they consumed alcohol. In general, firefighters who drank but did not binge drink tended to have the best health outcomes, while those who binge drank typically were at highest risk of negative health outcomes. Nine per cent of career and 10% of volunteer firefighters who drank self-reported driving while intoxicated in the previous 30 days. Conclusions Given the high rates of heavy and binge drinking, local and nationally coordinated efforts to increase the surveillance of drinking behaviour among firefighters and the development of targeted prevention interventions are critically needed.
Developing the user learning model: how do novices become experts?

The authors describe a theoretical and practical approach to designing learning products (documentation and training) for software. They discuss various theories of how people acquire new cognitive skills, as well as instructional design principles. Hewlett-Packard's Printed Circuit Design System serves as an example of how a user learning model and an overall learning products strategy were developed. The authors categorize learning activity into a hierarchy of behaviors, with learning at each level building on previous learning. They propose a package of learning products to address the different needs of the novice and the expert. >
Lamivudine Therapy for Korean Children with Chronic Hepatitis B

Purpose: Lamivudine is known to be very effective in suppressing hepatitis B virus replication and virus induced necroinflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate lamivudine therapy efficacy, predictive factors, breakthrough, prevalence of YMDD mutation, and relapse rate in Korean children with chronic hepatitis B. Materials and Methods: Between August 1999 and February 2005, 60 children on lamivudine therapy for chronic hepatitis B were enrolled. Treatment response was defined as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization, and HBeAg and HBV-DNA disappearance. Results: Seroconversion rates of HBeAg and HBVDNA were 42% and 53%, respectively, and ALT normalization rate was 88%. Seroconversion rates of HBeAg (60.0%) and anti-HBe (60.0%) were higher in patients younger than 6 years. Seroconversion rate of HBV-DNA (68.4%) and normalization rate of serum ALT (94.7%) were highest in patients between 6 and 12 years. Seroconversion rates of all HBV markers were lowest in patients older than 12 years. Predicted 3 year cumulative seroconversion rates, were 70%, 68% for HBeAg, HBV-DNA, respectively. These were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazard regression model showed that pre-treatment ALT was a positive predictive factor for seroconversion of HBeAg and HBV-DNA. Breakthrough phenomenon was noted in 6 patients, and 3 had a YMDD mutation. Conclusion: Lamivudine therapy had a significant effect on HBeAg seroconversion and HBV-DNA disappearance, and ALT normalization for Korean children with chronic hepatitis B.
The Financial Crisis Policy Challenges for Emerging Markets and Developing Countries

The ongoing global financial crisis is rooted in a combination of factors common to previous financial crises and some new factors. The crisis has called for revisiting monetary and fiscal policy and has brought to light a number of deficiencies in financial regulation and architecture. The global nature of the financial crisis has made clear that financially integrated markets, while offering many benefits, can also pose significant risks, with large real economic consequences. Deep reforms are therefore needed to the international financial architecture to safeguard the stability of an increasingly financial integrated world. Emerging markets and developing countries face some specific policy issues as they address institutional and development challenges.
Endogenous Two-Photon Fluorescence Imaging Elucidates Metabolic Changes Related to Enhanced Glycolysis and Glutamine Consumption in Precancerous Epithelial Tissues

Alterations in the balance between different metabolic pathways used to meet cellular bioenergetic and biosynthetic demands are considered hallmarks of cancer. Optical imaging relying on endogenous fluorescence has been used as a noninvasive approach to assess tissue metabolic changes during cancer development. However, quantitative correlations of optical assessments with variations in the concentration of relevant metabolites or in the specific metabolic pathways that are involved have been lacking. In this study, we use high-resolution, depth-resolved imaging, relying entirely on endogenous two-photon excited fluorescence in combination with invasive biochemical assays and mass spectrometry to demonstrate the sensitivity and quantitative nature of optical redox ratio tissue assessments. We identify significant differences in the optical redox ratio of live, engineered normal and precancerous squamous epithelial tissues. We establish that while decreases in the optical redox ratio are associated with enhanced levels of glycolysis relative to oxidative phosphorylation, increases in glutamine consumption to support energy production are associated with increased optical redox ratio values. Such mechanistic insights in the origins of optical metabolic assessments are critical for exploiting fully the potential of such noninvasive approaches to monitor and understand important metabolic changes that occur in live tissues at the onset of cancer or in response to treatment.
Dementia and identification of words and sentences produced by native and nonnative English speakers

The accurate identification of 30 words and 15 sentences spoken by native English, Taiwanese, and Spanish speakers was compared for 16 persons with and 16 persons without dementia. Statistically significant differences for words and sentences occurred between groups of listeners.
List and Text Recall Differ in Their Predictors: Replication Over Samples and Time

This study tested the hypothesis that latent list and text recall invoke somewhat different processes. A bivariate outcome path model of latent list and text recall evaluated the effects of age, latent speed, working memory, and vocabulary as their predictors. Independent of age, working memory reliably predicted both recall variables, whereas speed reliably predicted list recall only. The relationship between vocabulary and recall was mediated by age, working memory, and speed. The generalizability of this model, based on data from the 1994 testing of the Long Beach Longitudinal Study, was evaluated across samples by testing its invariance on baseline data from an additional panel and for eventual attrition at baseline and at a subsequent testing of retested participants and dropouts. Results showed that the model was invariant over all groups, supporting a replicable distinction between list and text recall.
Inter-track interference cancelation in presence of frequency offset for shingled magnetic recording

The enormous growth of consumer electronic industry is driving the need for achieving ultra-high areal storage densities. Shingled magnetic recording (SMR) is a promising high density storage technique where shingles are created by overlapping tracks for increasing the track per inch (TPI) and achieving higher areal densities. High TPI values, however, introduce sidetrack interference in the equalized output of the center track sensed through the read head. The problem of removing interference from the center track signal can be formulated as estimating pulse shapes of sidetracks assuming sidetracks are decodable. In this paper, we first propose a solution using the correlation method for estimating the pulse shape and the phase-misalignment. The correlation method fails when there is a frequency offset present from sidetracks. Furthermore, we devise a solution based on the least mean square (LMS) algorithm which can provide time varying estimates of the sidetrack pulse shapes and remove the interference from the center track signal. Experimental and simulation results which corroborate the analysis of the proposed algorithm, demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms other techniques and gives the minimum bit error rate (BER). The complexity of the proposed algorithm is low and it can be easily implemented on the hardware.
Iterative learning control design for synchronization of wafer and reticle stages

This paper presents an iterative learning controller (ILC) design technique for synchronization in wafer scanning systems. In wafer scanners, synchronization of the wafer and reticle stages is critical for accurate pattern transfer. For synchronization, a master-slave configuration is used, with the wafer stage acting as the master, and the reticle stage as the slave. Since the scanning process is repetitive, ILC is used to improve tracking performance. However, the coupling between the reticle stage and wafer stage is unidirectional. Hence we propose an ILC scheme that takes into account this structural property of the overall system. A simple design procedure is presented which allows design of the ILC system for the wafer and reticle stages independently. This is done by first designing an ILC controller for the wafer (master) stage, and then using the synchronization error for ILC update for the reticle (slave) stage. Analytic conditions for stability and monotonic error convergence are then discussed. Finally, design and performance of the algorithm is illustrated by implementation on a single degree of freedom wafer stage, and a virtual (computer-simulated) reticle stage.
Cross-Cultural Comparison of Health Perceptions, Concerns, and Coping Strategies among Asian and Pacific Islander American Elders

This article compares the health perceptions, concerns, and coping strategies among elders in two Asian and Pacific Islander American communities. The qualitative comparison is conducted between elder Chamorros of Guam and elder Chinese of the United States, using a focused ethnography for data collection and the grounded theory method for cross-cultural analysis. The health perceptions of these two communities are manifest in two themes: (a) a sense of holism among body, mind, and spirit and (b) an orientation toward others. The health concerns of these two communities include universal experiences of aging, structural elements within the American health care system, and cultural changes impacting health. A significant coping strategy is adaptation to changes while maintaining continuity. Finally, implications for the delivery of culturally appropriate health care services to Asian and Pacific Islander American elders are discussed.
Quantum Chemical Analysis of para-Substitution Effects on the Electronic Structure of Phenylnitrenium Ions in the Gas Phase and Aqueous Solution

Ab initio calculations for para-substituted phenylnitrenium ions predict larger singlet−triplet splittings, shorter singlet C−N+ bond lengths, and higher singlet aromatic ring stretching frequencies for substituents with greater electron-donating character. Trends in these properties correlate linearly with para-substituent constants σR+, indicating that phenylnitrenium ions closely resemble other electron-deficient aromatic systems where resonance interactions with substituents are dominant. Sensitivity to substitution is large as judged by the slope of the correlating line for aqueous singlet−triplet splittings, ρ = 6.4. For 13 of 15 substituted cases, aqueous solvation preferentially stabilizes the singlet state by 0.9 to 4.4 kcal/mol; for the p-CO2H and p-CF3 cases, the triplet state is better solvated by less than 1 kcal/mol.
A novel approach for haplotype-based association analysis using family data

Haplotype-based approaches have been extensively studied for case-control association mapping in recent years. It has been shown that haplotype methods can provide more consistent results comparing to single-locus based approaches, especially in cases where causal variants are not typed. Improved power has been observed by clustering similar or rare haplotypes into groups to reduce the degrees of freedom of association tests. For family-based association studies, one commonly used strategy is Transmission Disequilibrium Tests (TDT), which examine the imbalanced transmission of alleles/haplotypes to affected and normal children. Many extensions have been developed to deal with general pedigrees and continuous traits. In this paper, we propose a new haplotype-based association method for family data that is different from the TDT framework. Our approach (termed F_HapMiner) is based on our previous successful experiences on haplotype inference from pedigree data and haplotype-based association mapping. It first infers diplotype pairs of each individual in each pedigree assuming no recombination within a family. A phenotype score is then defined for each founder haplotype. Finally, F_HapMiner applies a clustering algorithm on those founder haplotypes based on their similarities and identifies haplotype clusters that show significant associations with diseases/traits. We have performed extensive simulations based on realistic assumptions to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach by considering different factors such as allele frequency, linkage disequilibrium (LD) structure, disease model and sample size. Comparisons with single-locus and haplotype-based TDT methods demonstrate that our approach consistently outperforms the TDT-based approaches regardless of disease models, local LD structures or allele/haplotype frequencies. We present a novel haplotype-based association approach using family data. Experiment results demonstrate that it achieves significantly higher power than TDT-based approaches.
ENaC structure and function in the wake of a resolved structure of a family member.

Our understanding of epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) structure and function has been profoundly impacted by the resolved structure of the homologous acid-sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1). The structure of the extracellular and pore regions provide insight into channel assembly, processing, and the ability of these channels to sense the external environment. The absence of intracellular structures precludes insight into important interactions with intracellular factors that regulate trafficking and function. The primary sequences of ASIC1 and ENaC subunits are well conserved within the regions that are within or in close proximity to the plasma membrane, but poorly conserved in peripheral domains that may functionally differentiate family members. This review examines functional data, including ion selectivity, gating, and amiloride block, in light of the resolved ASIC1 structure.
Age Effects in Biomechanical Modeling of Static Lifting Strengths

There is growing awareness that age results in reduced strengths in the population, and that significant decreases start in the 5th decade. The magnitude of the decrease in strength depends on the specific muscle function being tested. Because of differential effects it is not clear how various decreases could alter whole-body strength performance. This paper describes how specific strength decreases measured in an older population of men and women could affect their whole-body exertion capabilities in selected scenarios. A computerized strength prediction program is used to both predict the whole-body strength changes with age, and to study how older populations can alter their postures to achieve maximum exertion capability. The results indicate that different muscle group strengths decline by 5% to 70% with age, depending on which muscle group is tested. These changes have profound effects on whole-body exertion capabilities, which also are shown to depend on specific postures used to perform the exert...
Floating gate analog implementation of the additive soft-input soft-output decoding algorithm

The soft-input soft-output decoding algorithm is used to decode concatenated codes iteratively. To implement this algorithm efficiently, an additive form in the logarithmic domain is employed. A novel analog implementation using CMOS translinear circuits is proposed. A multiple-input floating-gate CMOS transistor working in the subthreshold region is used as the main translinear computing element. The proposed approach allows a direct mapping between the decoding algorithm and the circuit implementation. Experimental CMOS chip results are in good agreement with theoretical and simulation results.
TolC Affects Virulence Gene Expression in Vibrio cholerae

A Vibrio cholerae tolC mutant showed increased toxT expression in M9 medium, but not in the presence of four amino acids that induce cholera toxin production, and in LB with high osmolarity but not high pH or temperature. TolC did not affect expression of other regulatory genes in the ToxR regulon.
Radiation field from an extended planar-anode diode on HERMES III

The bremsstrahlung field from an extended planar-anode diode with an annular cathode tip on the the 16-TW HERMES III electron accelerator is measured and compared with predictions of the MAGIC-CYLTRAN model. Measurements confirm predictions and demonstrate that the diode provides a versatile large-area source of gamma radiation. Versatility is obtained by adjustment of the anode-cathode gap, which affects electron trajectories while simultaneously maintaining constant diode impedance. The adjustment permits the generation of average dose rates from about 1.2*10/sup 12/ rad/s over 3100 cm/sup 2/ to about 5.6*10/sup 12/ rad/s over 700 cm/sup 2/ without destruction of the bremsstrahlung target. >
Comparison of the effects of nitroprusside and nitroglycerin on coronary size.

Nitroglycerin and nitroprusside are known to differ in their relative degree of systemic arterial and venous dilation. Nitroglycerin has been shown to be a potent large-vessel coronary dilator, but the effects of nitroprusside on coronary artery size are unclear. Accordingly, we studied coronary artery angiographic responses to both nitroprusside and nitroglycerin in 12 patients. Diameters of left coronary artery segments were measured by quantitative angiography before and during an intravenous infusion of nitroprusside and after sublingual nitroglycerin when both drugs were administered in doses adjusted to achieve similar reductions in aortic pressure. Dilation of the left coronary artery was observed after nitroprusside and after nitroglycerin. Degrees of dilation were similar in the various left coronary artery segments after either nitroprusside or nitroglycerin. In general, segments located more proximally dilated less than those located more distally after either agent. We conclude that both nitroprusside and nitroglycerin are potent dilators of large epicardial and of smaller intramuscular coronary artery segments. The magnitude of dilation of all measured left coronary artery segments appeared remarkably similar with nitroprusside and nitroglycerin given in doses that produced a similar reduction in aortic pressure.
Micromanipulation of Chromosomes Reveals that Cohesion Release during Cell Division Is Gradual and Does Not Require Tension

In mitosis, cohesion appears to be present along the entire length of the chromosome, between centromeres and along chromosome arms. By metaphase, sister chromatids appear as two adjacent but visibly distinct rods. Sister chromatids separate from one another in anaphase by releasing all chromosome cohesion. This is different from meiosis I, in which pairs of sister chromatids separate from one another, moving to each spindle pole by releasing cohesion only between sister chromatid arms. Then, in anaphase II, sister chromatids separate by releasing centromere cohesion. Our objective was to find where cohesion is present or absent on chromosomes in mitosis and meiosis and when and how it is released. We determined cohesion directly by pulling on chromosomes with two micromanipulation needles. Thus, we could distinguish for the first time between apparent doubleness as seen in the microscope and physical separability. We found that apparent doubleness can be deceiving: Visibly distinct sister chromatids often cannot be separated. We also demonstrated that cohesion is released gradually in anaphase, with chromosomes looking as if they were unzipped or pulled apart. This implied that tension from spindle forces was required, but we showed directly that no tension was necessary to pull chromatids apart.
Emerging monoclonal antibody therapies for malignant gliomas

An improved understanding of the molecular characteristics of gliomas has led to the recognition of potential antigen targets and monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies for these challenging tumors. The design of glioma mAbs--including species, construct, immunoglobulin isotype and conjugate--affects their delivery, efficacy and toxicities. mAbs that are under study for glioma therapy include some mAbs that are currently approved for use in the treatment of other cancers, as well as novel molecules. Although the greatest experience so far is with locally administered, radiolabeled mAbs, systemic unconjugated mAbs are being studied increasingly for glioma treatment. Previous experience with mAbs in other malignancies may provide guidance for their use in the treatment of CNS malignancies.
Systemic Hemodynamic and Myocardial Metabolic Effects of Isoproterenol and Angiotensin After Open-Heart Surgery

Cardiovascular dynamics and metabolism after open heart surgery were studied in 10 patients before and after infusion of angiotensin and isoproterenol. Patients with rheumatic mitral disease showed marked lowering of cardiac index with elevation of systemic vascular resistance in the control state while those with aortic disease demonstrated less depression of cardiac index and normal resistance. The group with mitral disease also showed lower coronary blood flow and much higher coronary vascular resistance than the aortic patients. Angiotensin caused further depression of cardiac index and marked increase in pressure work. Isoproterenol augmented cardiac index but did not affect pressure work significantly. Both agents increased oxygen consumption significantly by increment in coronary flow (isoproterenol) or by widening of myocardial oxygen extraction (angiotensin). Isoproterenol is favored over angiotensin in low output states after cardiac surgery as a means of meeting oxygen demands as well as the re...
Evolution, Aging, and Osteoporosis

Aging is a process whereby organisms lose to the capacity to effectively handle life's stresses. Associated with aging are pathophysiological processes, such as decreases in bone mass, which in the extreme form lead to significant morbidity. Evolutionary theory suggests that these pathophysiological processes are permitted to occur because an organism need only preserve its body against stress only for the amount of time needed for effective reproduction. In this review, an understanding of osteoporosis and bone loss is discussed within the context of aging theory. Specific topics covered include: (1) bone loss as an antagonistically pleiotropic physiological process, (2) age-associated stress accumulation and its negative impact on bone turnover, and (3) the mechanisms whereby gonadal failure, increases in inflammatory cytokines, and cellular bone marrow changes lead to bone loss. This review concludes by examining purported hypotheses in the context of Werner's syndrome, a disease characterized by premature aging. We suggest that future osteoporosis therapy will likely focus on prevention of aging in general as a means to prevent the development of osteoporosis.
Response of thyroid follicular cells to gamma irradiation compared to proton irradiation: II. The role of connexin 32

The objective of this study was to determine whether connexin 32-type gap junctions contribute to the "contact effect" in follicular thyrocytes and whether the response is influenced by radiation quality. Our previous studies demonstrated that early-passage follicular cultures of Fischer rat thyroid cells express functional connexin 32 gap junctions, with later-passage cultures expressing a truncated nonfunctional form of the protein. This model allowed us to assess the role of connexin 32 in radiation responsiveness without relying solely on chemical manipulation of gap junctions. The survival curves generated after gamma irradiation revealed that early-passage follicular cultures had significantly lower values of alpha (0.04 Gy(-1)) than later-passage cultures (0.11 Gy(-1)) (P 0.1, n = 9). This strongly suggests that the presence of functional connexin 32-type gap junctions was contributing to radiation resistance in gamma-irradiated thyroid follicles. Survival curves from proton-irradiated cultures had alpha values that were not significantly different whether cells expressed functional connexin 32 (0.10 Gy(-1)), did not express connexin 32 (0.09 Gy(-1)), or were down-regulated (early-passage plus heptanol, 0.09 Gy(-1); late-passage plus heptanol, 0.12 Gy(-1)) (P > 0.1, n = 19). Thus, for proton irradiation, the presence of connexin 32-type gap junctional channels did not influence their radiosensitivity. Collectively, the data support the following conclusions. (1) The lower alpha values from the gamma-ray survival curves of the early-passage cultures suggest greater repair efficiency and/or enhanced resistance to radiation-induced damage, coincident with the expression of connexin 32-type gap junctions. (2) The increased sensitivity of FRTL-5 cells to proton irradiation was independent of their ability to communicate through connexin 32 gap junctions. (3) The fact that the beta components of the survival curves from both gamma rays and proton beams were similar (average 0.022 +/- 0.008 Gy(-2), P > 0.1, n = 39) suggests that at higher doses the loss of viability occurs at a relatively constant rate and is independent of radiation quality and the presence of functional gap junctions.
Distress Tolerance and Emotion Regulation: Promoting Maternal Well-Being Across the Transition to Parenthood

SYNOPSISObjective. This study examined the association between newborns’ daily crying and five measures of new mothers’ emotional states. Design. One hundred seven new mothers responded via a one-time, anonymous, online survey that assessed their stress, well-being, emotion regulation, frustration, and coping skills. Mothers also reported their infant’s daily cry duration. Results. Average daily crying was related to mothers’ emotional experiences, and relations also existed among the five mental health measures. Regression models indicate the strongest predictors of frustration were infant’s average cry duration, maternal well-being, and infant’s health status at enrollment. Conclusion. Mental health professionals can support families through the normative, but often stressful, experience of their infant’s cries. However, a re-evaluation of the clinical criteria for excessive crying is needed, as the results suggest that mothers whose infants cry considerably less than the widely used Wessel’s 3-hour-per...
Problems faced in the implementation of Total Quality Management in higher secondary schools in Kerala, India

Whenever quality improvement measures in education are initiated by the government, teachers have the responsibility of their successful implementation at the school level. Problems and constraints, however, emerge if the vision and mission of the authorities are not permeated down to the teacher level. The Kerala government’s measures aimed at the quality improvement of education included changes in the curriculum, evaluation of students and teacher education and training, application of technology in the admission and examination systems management. There are, however, apprehensions among teachers on the viability and success of such quality initiatives and the potential increase in their workload. This study, therefore, attempts to identify the problems faced by teachers in the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) initiatives. Factor analysis on a set of 36 statements was undertaken to identify pertinent problems faced by teachers in the implementation of TQM. Variations in the intensity of problem felt by teachers by gender, age, subjects handled, location and ownership of the schools are also brought out.
Doing Justice Today: A Welcoming Embrace for LGBT Students in Christian Schools.

The article argues for welcoming LGBT students in Christian schools. The article develops an idea of justice based on Nicholas Wolterstorff's idea of claim-rights of vulnerable groups that have been wronged, and applies this to the security and recognition of LGBT students in Christian schools. The article presents empirical evidence about the harm faced by such students, concluding that Christian LGBT students suffer wrongs that call out for doing justice today. The article argues that doing justice means welcoming LGBT students, and ends with a description of what that might entail in Christian schools.
Redescribing Public Administration

(2005). Redescribing Public Administration. Administrative Theory & Praxis: Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 469-485.
A Law Student's Guide: To Legal Education's Knowledge, Skills, and Ethics Dimensions

This book published by Carolina Academic Press, the table of contents, introduction, and Part I.A. of which are attached, introduces current and prospective law students to law school's curriculum. Law school challenges students not just in learning a vast body of law knowledge but with acquiring particular reasoning skills and developing a peculiar professional identity. Law school spreads the student's learning of these knowledge, skills, and ethic dimensions through a variety of required and elective courses, and co- and extra-curricular activities the purpose of which is not always evident to students. Students benefit in their concentration, discipline, and commitment from knowing the curriculum's design and how to use it to its best effect. This book shows how law school works.
Selected E-Course Controls: Accounting Department Heads Views

Use of the Internet continues to increase, and new technology continues to provide more and better communication options. As more and more students choose to enroll in Internet courses (e-courses), technological advances offer various ways to control academic dishonesty. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to chairpersons of accounting departments to obtain their views about the use of several technological enhancements that could serve as controls in e-courses. Such controls would require that some of these newer physical enhancements be on students’ computers when they register for an e-course. Respondents strongly favored requiring students to provide a digital photo ID and audio capabilities when registering for an e-course. Other potential controls were not supported. Those surveyed also tended to believe that students should use a web cam when completing examinations on-line and that faculty should compare the photo ID with the web cam image. In other settings, they felt that such a comparison was unnecessary. Overall, the accounting department heads surveyed endorsed requiring the student who enrolls in an e-course to obtain some existing technology, and they expect the student to be prepared to spend more than $100 to obtain the technology.
Crystallization of micrometer-sized particles with molecular contours.

The crystallization of micrometer-sized particles with shapes mimicking those of tetrabenzoheptacene (TBH) and 1,2:5,6-dibenzanthracene (DBT), both flat polyacenes, in an electric field results in the formation of ordered 2D packings that mimic the plane group symmetries in their respective molecular crystal equivalents. Whereas the particles packed in low-density disordered arrangements under a gravitational gradient, dielectrophoresis (under an ac electric field) produced ordered high-density packings with readily identifiable plane group symmetry. The ordered colloidal assemblies were stable for hours, with the packing density decreasing slowly but with recognizable symmetry for up to 12 h for the TBH-shaped particles and up to 4 h for the DBT-shaped particles. This unexpected stability is attributed to jamming behavior associated with interlocking of the dogbone-shaped (TBH) and Z-block (DBT) particles, contrasting with the more rapid reduction of packing density and loss of hexagonal symmetry for dis...
Iron and Ruthenium Heterobimetallic Carbonyl Complexes as Electrocatalysts for Alcohol Oxidation: Electrochemical and Mechanistic Studies

Carbonyl-containing Ru and Fe heterobimetallic complexes were prepared and tested as electrocatalysts for the oxidation of methanol and ethanol. GC analysis of the electrolyte solution during bulk electrolysis indicated that CpRu(CO)(μ-I)(μ-dppm)PtI2 (1), CpFe(CO)(μ-I)(μ-dppm)PtI2 (2), and CpRu(CO)(μ-I)(μ-dppm)PdI2 (3) were catalysts for the electrooxidation of methanol and ethanol, while CpFe(CO)(μ-I)(μ-dppm)PdI2 (4), CpRu(CO)I(μ-dppm)AuI (5), and CpFe(CO)I(μ-dppm)AuI (6) did not function as catalysts. The oxidation of methanol resulted in two- and four-electron oxidation to formaldehyde and formic acid, respectively, followed by condensation with unreacted methanol to yield dimethoxymethane and methyl formate as the observed products. The oxidation of ethanol afforded 1,1′-diethoxyethane as a result of two-electron oxidation to acetaldehyde and condensation with excess ethanol. FTIR analysis of the headspace gases during the electrochemical oxidation of methanol indicated formation of CO2. Isotopic labe...
Responses of MODIS spectral indices to typical drought events from 2000 to 2012 in southwest China

This study uses the Standard Precipitation Index( SPI) to compare the responses of eight MODIS-based spectral indices to typical drought events,including NDVI,NDWI,VARI,EVI,NDIIB6,NDIIB7,D1640,and SR,from 2000 to 2012 in southwest China,Containing the provinces of Sichuan,Chongqing,Yunnan,and Guizhou. The results show that:( 1) The SPI index derived from precipitation data could reflect the drought conditions around the station,and the three-month and six-month SPIs( SPI3/6) perform better than the other time-scale SPIs;( 2) Anomalies of all eight MODIS-based spectral indices,except for D1640,show significant correlation with SPI3 at a confidence level of 95% and can thus be used to reveal the drought conditions in southwest China to some degree,whereas anomalies of NDIIB7,VARI,EVI,and NDIIB6 have higher r values with SPI3( r 0.3) than others;( 3) The anomalies of NDIIB7 have the highest r value with SPI3 and are used to analyze the spatiotemporal development and r ecovery of the long-term extreme drought event that occurred in Yungui Plateau during 2009 to 2010.
Immunologic infertility. I. Cervical mucus antibodies and postcoital test.

Abstract SAA and SIA were assayed in the sera of 172 infertile couples and in the CM of the women and 18 control subjects. Complete infertility evaluation was performed in all subjects except the controls. Results of these studies were correlated with PCT's. Sperm antibodies were detected in the CM of 25.6% of infertile women and in the sera of 12.7% of female and 6.4% of male subjects. No sperm antibodies were found in the CM of controls. Sperm antibodies were present exclusively in sera of 8.1% of women and in the CM of 20.9%. In only 4.7% both serum and CM contained antibodies. A significantly higher incidence of sperm antibodies was found in the sera of women and in CM and sera of all couples with unexplained infertility compared to those with explained infertility. The presence and the number of live spermatozoa in CM collected for PCT's were found to be significantly related to the existence of SAA and SIA in CM and serum. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that SAA or SIA antibodies in CM and SAA in female serum have a significant negative correlation with endocervical PCT, whereas sperm motility has a positive correlation. These factors, together, accounted for 24.5% of variance. These data indicate that the appearance of SAA and SIA in CM is not related to their presence or titer in blood serum and that the PCT is a reliable screening method when sperm antibodies are suspected to exist in CM and to a lesser extent in serum.
Technocracy and democracy as spheres of justice in public policy

There is a long-standing debate about the proper application of democratic versus technocratic approaches to decision-making in public policy. This paper seeks to clarify the debate by applying Michael Walzer’s notion of “spheres of justice,” wherein both democracy and technocracy could be seen as distinctive approaches to justice that need to be protected from the domination of the other. The paper shows how the debate on democracy versus technocracy has evolved in both theoretical and applied settings in a manner that reflects the “domination” of one approach by the other. It elaborates the argument through several concrete examples drawn from comparative politics, public policy, and public management. It then explores how the “spheres” approach implies the need for an interpretive mechanism in order to mediate the competing notions of justice in particular policy issues.
Formation of an Intraretinal Fluid Barrier in Cavitary Optic Disc Maculopathy.

Purpose Cavitary optic disc maculopathy develops when fluctuating pressure gradients along anomalous communications in the optic nerve head induce migration of fluid into the adjacent retinal tissue. We sought to determine whether carefully titrated laser photocoagulation combined with vitrectomy and gas tamponade can safely create an effective intraretinal barrier to fluid egress from the optic disc cavitation. Design Retrospective interventional case series. Methods We retrospectively evaluated medical records and imaging studies of 22 consecutive patients with cavitary disc maculopathy evaluated by a single surgeon between 1991 and 2014. Patients requiring surgery underwent carefully titrated juxtapapillary laser photocoagulation followed immediately by vitrectomy and gas tamponade. Main outcome measures were change in visual acuity, macular fluid resolution, and recurrence of maculopathy. Results Eleven patients (11 eyes) had undergone vitreous surgery and were included in the study. No preoperative evidence for vitreous traction on the optic disc or macula was seen in any eye. Nine patients underwent a single surgery and 2 patients required additional procedures to resolve the macular fluid. Mean length of follow-up after the last surgery was 48.2 months (range, 4–143 months). All 11 patients (100%) had complete resolution of macular fluid, with an average time to resolution of 8.5 months (range, 1–18 months). Only 1 of 11 patients (9%) had recurrence of macular fluid (14 months postoperatively). The average preoperative visual acuity of 20/125 (logMAR 0.81, standard deviation [SD] = 0.36) improved by nearly 4 lines to an average final visual acuity of 20/57 (logMAR 0.45, SD = 0.37) ( P = .0072). A possible laser-induced central scotoma was suspected in only 1 patient who had undergone extensive prior laser treatments. Conclusions An effective intraretinal barrier to fluid migration from cavitary optic disc anomalies can be safely achieved in most patients with carefully titrated juxtapapillary laser photocoagulation combined with vitrectomy and gas tamponade. Once achieved, the barrier facilitates resolution of macular fluid and long-term avoidance of recurrent maculopathy.
A Mini-MIPS microprocessor for adiabatic computing

This paper examines adiabatic logic for computation, and presents a design for a MIPS processor implemented in CMOS. Adiabatic reversible logic was examined in the 1980s and 1990s but in that era power dissipation was a secondary concern, and the trade-off of reduced computational speed for reduced power was deemed unacceptable. Now, power dissipation and the associated heat are the major obstacles limiting progress in integrated circuits, particularly processors. In modern processors trading performance for reduced power dissipation is already done using techniques such as multi-core and dark silicon, so adiabatic logic may now be an attractive approach. To evaluate the adiabatic approach, this paper uses the figure of merit of the product of switching energy, delay time, and area (EDA). Using this figure of merit, adiabatic logic is shown to be advantageous when additional constraints are considered, such as maximum allowed power density. As a proof of concept circuit, a simplified MIPS microprocessor was designed using adiabatic logic based on split-rail charge recovery logic and Bennett clocking. New design and verification tools were developed using structural Verilog and extensions of ModelSim to provide needed capabilities are not available in commercial packages. The design is implemented using a standard cell design.
Reduction of Bacterial Pathogens and Potential Surrogates on the Surface of Almonds Using High-Intensity 405-Nanometer Light.

ABSTRACT The disinfecting properties of high-intensity monochromatic blue light (MBL) were investigated against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and nonpathogenic bacteria inoculated onto the surface of almonds. MBL was generated from an array of narrow-band 405-nm light-emitting diodes. Almonds were inoculated with higher or lower levels (8 or 5 CFU/g) of pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella, as well as nonpathogenic E. coli K-12 and an avirulent strain of Salmonella Typhimurium, for evaluation as potential surrogates for their respective pathogens. Inoculated almonds were treated with MBL for 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 min at a working distance of 7 cm. Simultaneous to treatment, cooling air was directed onto the almonds at a rate of 4 ft3/min (1.89 ×10−3 m3/s), sourced through a container of dry ice. An infrared camera was used to monitor the temperature readings after each run. For E. coli K-12, reductions of up to 1.85 or 1.63 log CFU/g were seen for higher and lower inoculum levels, respecti...
Bring the Noise: Black Men Teaching (Race and) White Privilege

In this article, we use autoethnography to reflect critically on our experiences, teaching race and White privilege at the collegiate level. Given our experiences as two Black male professors, we a...
Emergency department throughput: an intervention.

Shortening emergency department (ED) boarding time and managing hospital bed capacity by expediting the inpatient discharge process have been challenging for hospitals nationwide. The objective of this study is was to explore the effect of an innovative prospective intervention on hospital workflow, specifically on early inpatient discharges and the ED boarding time. The intervention consisted of a structured nursing “admission discharge transfer” (ADT) protocol receiving new admissions from the ED and helping out floor nursing with early discharges. ADT intervention was implemented in a 38-bed hospitalist run inpatient unit at an academic hospital. The study population consisted of 4486 patients (including inpatient and observation admissions) who were hospitalized to the medicine unit from March 2013–March 2014. Of these hospitalizations, 2259 patients received the ADT intervention. Patients’ demographics, discharge and ED boarding data were collected for from March 4, 2013 to March 31, 2014 for both intervention and control groups (28 weeks each). Chi-square and unpaired t tests were utilized to compare population characteristics. Poisson regression analysis was conducted to estimate the association between intervention and hospital length of stay adjusted for differences in patient demographics. Mean age of the study population was 58.6 years, 23% were African Americans and 55% were women. A significant reduction in ED boarding time (p < 0.001) and improvement in early (before 2 PM) hospital discharges (p = 0.01) were noticed among patients in the intervention groups. There was a slight but significant reduction in hospital length of stay for observation patients in the intervention group; however, no such difference was noted for inpatient admissions. Our study showed that dedicating nursing resources towards ED-boarded patients and early inpatient discharges can significantly improve hospital workflow and reduce hospital length of stay.