cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stories ‘Told’ about engineering in the Media: Implications for attracting diverse groups to the profession

This study examines how engineering is portrayed in the media. This is set against a continuing discourse in the field around representations and perceptions of engineering as they relate to attracting and retaining diverse groups of students. Data comprises one year of news articles (August 2011–July 2012) selected by the Bulletin Media service for First Bell — an electronic news briefing that is delivered daily to members of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). The research approach is informed by the concept of ‘framing’ from media studies and narrative policy analysis (NPA), which applies contemporary literary theory to complex public policy issues, such as diversity in engineering. In this paper we describe our emergent research design and current focus on more and less dominant stories that are ‘told’ about engineering in the media. We then present a constructed narrative and critical analysis of one of the five dominant stories identified in the study, namely: Students' Lack of Interest and/or Proficiency in Math and Science. Examination of this story points to underlying assumptions about engineering that are implicit to the way engineering is framed in the public discourse. We conclude with a discussion of possible implications of these stories for attracting diverse groups to engineering.
Purine nucleoside diphosphate regulation of yeast hexokinases.

Abstract The low activity state of hexokinase P-II, originally produced by Kosow and Rose by lowering the pH from 8 to 7 in certain sulfonated buffers, is not observed in Tris or imidazole buffers at pH 7 unless low concentrations of ADP or GDP are added. At pH values below 7 in imidazole buffer, partial inhibition occurs by protonation alone, and ADP or GDP causes further inhibition. As in the Kosow-Rose experiments, the enzyme in the low activity state can be activated either by excess ATP or by low concentrations of citrate, 3-phosphoglycerate and other metabolites. The inhibition by nucleoside diphosphates is greater at high glucose concentration. Hexokinase P-I is much less susceptible to regulation by nucleoside diphosphates or citrate, suggesting different physiological roles for the two isoenzymes.
Differences in Yields of Microbial Crude Protein from In Vitro Fermentation of Carbohydrates

The yield of microbial crude protein (CP) from carbohydrate fermentations was examined using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitation of batch cultures. The medium contained ammonium bicarbonate, casein acid hydrolysate, and cysteine hydrochloride as nitrogen sources. Isolated bermudagrass neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) and 60:40 blends of iNDF and sucrose (Suc), citrus pectin (Pec), or corn starch (Sta) (approximately 375 mg of substrate organic matter/vial) were fermented in vitro in two separate fermentation runs with mixed ruminal microbes. Three fermentation tubes for each substrate were destructively sampled at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 h. Fermented samples were precipitated at a concentration of 19.4% TCA, and filtered to collect unfermented iNDF and precipitate. Collected residues were analyzed for CP as Kjeldahl N x 6.25. Microbial CP (TCACP) was estimated as TCA-precipitated CP corrected for the TCA-precipitated CP content of substrates at 0 h, and the mean of fermentation blanks from each hour. Medium pH did not decline below 6.49 in any fermentation tube. Comparisons of maximal yields based on the hour in which the measured mean yield was greatest for each substrate in each fermentation indicated that Sta > Suc = Pec > iNDF (P < 0.05). All substrates showed increases in TCACP to their maxima, followed by declines in TCACP. This likely reflects the relative dominance of production or degradation of microbes about the point of substrate limitation. Unlike other substrates, Suc had no detectable lag, and presented a more persistent TCACP yield curve than the other non-NDF carbohydrates (NFC). Regression analysis of TCACP yield over time for iNDF versus other substrates, Pec + Sta versus Suc, and Pec versus Sta indicated that the compared curves were not parallel (P < 0.05). The patterns of TCACP yield over time were cubic for iNDF and Suc, and quartic for Pec and Sta. The maximal yields of TCACP predicted from the regressions were Sta: 34.0 mg at 15.6 h, Pec: 29.9 mg at 13.5 h, Suc: 25.5 mg at 12.6 h, and iNDF: 13.6 mg at 19.3 h. The NDF and NFC carbohydrates examined differed in both maximal yields and temporal patterns of yield of TCACP.
JCL roundtable: drug treatment of severe forms of familial hypercholesterolemia.

Abstract Clinical lipidologists are often asked to manage patients with severely elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. Statins at maximum doses and in combination with other drugs may not achieve adequate reductions in LDL-C in such patients. The most dramatic elevations are usually in patients with genetic abnormalities in the LDL receptor gene on both chromosome pairs. LDL-C values well in excess of 400 mg/dL are not fully responsive to current treatments. In the past few months, the Food and Drug Administration has approved 2 new drugs for special use in such patients; these are mipomersen and lomitapide. During the National Lipid Association's Scientific Sessions, 2 highly experienced clinician scientists who have completed research studies with these agents agreed to answer questions pertinent to the prescription use of these agents. These scientists are Dr Anne Goldberg from Washington University in St. Louis and Dr Daniel Rader from the University of Pennsylvania.
Smoking cessation and cardiovascular disease risk factors: Results from the third national health and nutrition examination survey

Background Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. While smoking is associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers and accelerated atherosclerosis, few studies have examined the impact of smoking cessation on levels of inflammatory markers. The degree and rate at which inflammation subsides after smoking cessation are uncertain. It also remains unclear as to whether traditional risk factors can adequately explain the observed decline in cardiovascular risk following smoking cessation. Methods and Findings Using data from 15,489 individuals who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), we analyzed the association between smoking and smoking cessation on levels of inflammatory markers and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. In particular, we examined changes in C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, albumin, and fibrinogen. Inflammatory markers demonstrated a dose-dependent and temporal relationship to smoking and smoking cessation. Both inflammatory and traditional risk factors improved with decreased intensity of smoking. With increased time since smoking cessation, inflammatory markers resolved more slowly than traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusion Inflammatory markers may be more accurate indicators of atherosclerotic disease. Inflammatory markers returned to baseline levels 5 y after smoking cessation, consistent with the time frame associated with cardiovascular risk reduction observed in both the MONICA and Northwick Park Heart studies. Our results suggest that the inflammatory component of cardiovascular disease resulting from smoking is reversible with reduced tobacco exposure and smoking cessation.
Sarcolemmal and Sarcoplasmic Reticular ATPase Activities in the Falling Canine Heart

The specific activity of both the sarcoleminal Na+-K+-activated and the sarcoplasmic reticular ATPase systems was studied in dogs with right ventricular hypertrophy and congestive heart failure induced by progressive pulmonary artery stenosis. In these enzyme preparations, mitochondrial or cross contamination of either of the cellular fractions studied did not appear to be a factor. In the sarcoplasmic reticular fraction, ouabain was without effect and succinic dehydrogenase assay showed less that 10% of the activity observed in pure mitochondrial preparations. In the sarcolemmal fraction, sodium azide did not significantly inhibit the ATPase activity, but ouabain inhibited 91% of it. The activity of the sarcolemmal ATPase system of the faihng heart did not differ from that of the control; however, the activity of failing heart sarcolemmal preparations was found to be only 61% inhibited by 10-4M ouabain, and the activity of control preparations was 91% inhibited. The sarcoplasinic reticular ATPase activit...
Wear Characteristics of Padded Air Bearing Sliders During a Contact Take-Off Process

The pressing and challenging demand for resolving the stiction/glide-height conflict, driven by today's ever decreasing head/disk spacing, forces us to constantly search for new technologies. One of them is padding the slider's air bearing surface. Although the padded air bearing sliders can significantly reduce the stiction, the wear of these landing pads becomes a central issue. This paper attempts to analytically predict the wear characteristics of the landing pads during a contact take-off process. A wear factor derived from the adhesive wear law is employed to measure the wear extent of the landing pads. The contact force profile and wear factor of each pad are calculated through the partial contact air bearing simulation of a slider's take-off process. It is found that the rear pad wears an order magnitude more than the leading pads. The wear volume of the rear pad increases exponentially with pad height, interface roughness and altitude. Raising the leading pads alone slightly reduces the wear of the rear pad. Placing the rear pad away from the slider's trailing edge, however, substantially alleviates the wear of the rear pad. Finally, a lightly textured pad/disk interface decreases the pads' wear to a minimum value for a given padded air bearing design.
Supercomputing in plain english: teaching cyberinfrastructure to computing novices

The field of Cyberinfrastructure (CI) has experienced rapid and exciting progress in enabling technologies, but much slower improvements in application codes, largely because of the ongoing disconnect between the CI and application research communities. At the University of Oklahoma, the OU Supercomputing Center for Education & Research (OSCER) is addressing this issue using a multipronged pedagogical strategy that combines workshops, tours, question-and-answer and "rounds" (one-on-one interactions), with minimal jargon, using storytelling and analogies to capture the essential properties of Cyberinfrastructure.
Midwest Guardrail System W-Beam-to-Thrie-Beam Transition

For longitudinal barriers, it is common practice to use a standard W-beam guardrail along the required highway segments and to use a stiffened thrie-beam guardrail in a transition region near the end of a bridge. As a result of the differences in rail geometries, a W-beam-to-thrie-beam transition element is typically used to connect and provide continuity between the two rail sections. However, the W-beam-to-thrie-beam transition element has not been evaluated according to current impact safety standards. Therefore, an approach guardrail transition system, including a W-beam-to-thrie-beam transition element, was constructed and crash tested. The transition system was attached to Missouri's thrie-beam and channel bridge railing system.
The spectrum of benign infantile seizures

Benign epilepsies during infancy are a wide topic, which needs both clinical and nosological clarifications. Already in 1963 Fukuyama reported patients with seizures during infancy with a benign outcome. In the late 80s and early 90s, Watanabe reported series of infants with complex partial seizures or partial seizures with secondary generalization, with a normal development before onset and a benign outcome. In the same years Vigevano focused on familial cases: he described several families with seizures with onset around the 6-month of age, and autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. To define this condition, he coined the term "benign familial infantile seizures" (BFIS). Afterwards, studying families with this phenotype, loci on chromosomes 19, 16 and 2 responsible for BFIS were detected. Similar loci were found in families affected by BFIS and subsequent choreoathetosis, and BFIS associated with familial hemiplegic migraine. In most recent years a new form of benign epilepsy has been proposed, with an intermediate onset between the neonatal and infantile age, which was defined with the term benign familial neonatal-infantile seizures (BFNIS). This condition could have some clinical and genetic features overlapping with BFIS. Seizures with a benign outcome have been reported also in infants during episode of mild gastroenteritis (BIS with MG) frequently with positive Rotavirus antigen. Lastly, sleep EEG abnormalities have been reported in children with a peculiar form of epilepsy by Capovilla, who defined this condition as benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep (BIMSE). Some of these entities have been included in the last classification proposed by the ILAE and have been differentiated in familial and non-familial forms. The aim of this review is to describe these entities, discuss their nosological aspects, pointing out the similarities and differences with benign neonatal seizures and benign focal epilepsies appearing later in life such as early-onset benign occipital seizure susceptibility syndrome (EBOSS), or benign epilepsy of childhood with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS).
Adventure recreation reconceived: Positive forms of deviant leisure

Abstract The concept of adventure remains deeply rooted in the domain of recreation and leisure. Adventure recreation defined is “a variety of self‐initiated activities utilizing an interaction with the natural environment, that contains elements of real or apparent danger in which the outcome, while uncertain, can be influenced by the participant and circumstance” (Ewert, 1989). Miriam‐Webster defines adventure as: an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks, the encountering of risks, an exciting or remarkable experience, to expose to danger or loss, to venture upon, and to proceed despite risk. Though often associated with outdoor activities in the recreation literature (Ewert & Hollenhorst, 1989) adventurous behaviour crosses all domains of recreation and leisure and can be easily identified whether one defines recreation as activity or state of mind. The literature on deviant leisure typifies it as inherently negative or tolerable norm‐violation behaviour (Rojek, 1997; Stebbins, 1996). ...
The distribution of glutamate, GABA and aspartate in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the cat

Abstract This report describes the distribution of glutamate, GABA and aspartate in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), area postrema, dorsal vagal nucleus and hypoglossal nucleus. Glutamate levels were particularly high in the dorsal, medial and commissural nuclei of the NTS. Section of the IXth and Xth cranial nerves caused a bilateral decrease in glutamate (ipsilateral side= 48%;contralatral side= 36%) and ipsilateral decrease in GABA (27%) in the dorsal and medial NTS. The ipsilateral dorsal vagal nucleus showed a 48% decrease in glutamate and a 30% decrease in GABA after axotomy.
Capturing human papillomavirus status: using liquid-phase human papillomavirus assays on fine-needle aspirations of metastatic head and neck cancers

It is now well recognized that a significant subset of head and neck cancers are caused by high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), and the rate of these HPV-related squamous cell carcinomas is rising drastically. 1-3 HPVrelated head and neck cancers are distinct from their HPVnegative counterparts in many ways, including clinically where these tumors respond well to chemoradiation and carry a very good prognosis. 4 As a result, HPV status has become important in ways that impact myriad aspects of a patient’s care, prompting the College of American Pathologists to recommend routine HPV testing on oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. 5 Due to the propensity of HPV-related tumors to metastasize early to cervical lymph nodes, cytopathologists are often the first to obtain material to perform HPV testing. Moreover, as a consequence of these tumors’ excellent responses to nonsurgical therapies, in many cases preoperative fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) may produce
Construction of a cDNA library from microdissected guinea pig organ of Corti.

Poly (A) RNA was isolated from microdissected guinea pig organ of Corti and converted into cDNA with RNase H− murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase. After size fractionation, the cDNA was directionally ligated into the vector pSPORT 1 and the plasmids were transformed into DH10B E. coli via electroporation. The library was found to have 3.35 × 106 independent colonies with ten percent of the colonies lacking an insert. After checking 33 randomly colonies for inserts, the average insert size was 1218 base pairs, ranging from 3300 base pairs to 400 base pairs. The library was screened with a beta-actin oligonucleotide probe and 1.4% of the colonies contained an insert hybridizing to the probe.
Identification of faults using sparse optimization

This paper describes a fault identification method based on the equivalence between the fault current drawn at an arbitrary point along a given line section and a pair of virtual superimposed current injections at the terminal nodes of the same line section. Therefore a fault can be located by estimating the pair of terminal current injections that would cause the recorded changes in bus voltages. One nice feature of this approach is that it is independent of fault type and fault resistance. Assuming the availability of an accurate three-phase network model and a sufficient set of synchronized voltage sensors, the fault identification problem can be formulated as a sparse linear estimation problem with m equations representing the measured buses and n (n > m) unknowns representing the changes in current injections, which are all null except for the ones corresponding to the terminal nodes of the faulted line section. The practical implementation of this approach relies on the efficient solution of an L 1 regularization problem and the proper placement of a sufficient number of measurements satisfying the conditions for a unique solution.
Transversity decomposition of quark angular momentum

We express the correlation between quark transversity and (total) quark angular momentum in terms of the second moment of chirally odd generalized parton distributions. The resulting relation allows to determine how much quarks of a given transversity contribute to the total angular momentum of the nucleon.
Graphical Processing Units for Quantum Chemistry

The paper provide a brief overview of electronic structure theory and details the implementation of quantum chemistry methods on a graphical processing unit. The paper also analyze algorithm performance in terms of floating-point operations and memory bandwidth, and assess the adequacy of single-precision accuracy for quantum chemistry applications.
Novel injection molding foaming approaches using gas‐laden pellets with N2, CO2, and N2 + CO2 as the blowing agents

A novel method of producing injection molded parts with a foamed structure has been developed. It has been named supercritical fluid-laden pellet injection molding foaming technology (SIFT). Compared with conventional microcellular foaming technologies, it lowers equipment costs without sacrificing the production rate, making it a good candidate for mass producing foamed injection molded parts. Both N2 and CO2 can be suitably used in this process as the physical blowing agent. However, due to their distinct physical properties, it is necessary to understand the influence of their differences over the process and the outcomes. Comparisons were made in this study between using CO2 and N2 as the blowing agents in terms of the part morphologies, as well as the shelf life and gas desorption process of the gas-laden pellets. After gaining a good understanding of the SIFT process and the gas-laden pellets, a novel foam injection molding approach combining the SIFT process with microcellular injection molding was proposed in this study. Both N2 and CO2 can be introduced into the same foaming process as the coblowing agents in a two-step manner. Using an optimal content ratio for the blowing agents, as well as the proper sequence of introducing the gases, foamed parts with a much better morphology can be produced by taking advantage of the benefits of both blowing agents. In this study, the theoretical background is discussed and experimental results show that this combined approach leads to significant improvements in foam cell morphology for low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and high impact polystyrene using two different mold geometries. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:899–913, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Small bowel disease

CT of the abdomen and pelvis has supplanted the use of fluoroscopic examinations in the case of suspected small bowel obstruction. CT allows localization of the obstruction and frequently suggests the etiology. This case explores various causes of small bowel obstruction as well as the signs on CT of ischemic versus nonischemic small bowel obstruction.
In vivo demonstration that parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone–related protein stimulate expression by osteoblasts of interleukin-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor

We have previously reported that parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH related protein (PTHrP) stimulate expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in osteoblasts in vitro. In the current study, we have developed a model of hormone injection into the subcutaneous space overlying mouse parietal bones to demonstrate that similar processes occur in osteoblasts in vivo. Specifically, PTH and PTHrP rapidly and transiently induce expression of the mRNAs encoding IL-6 and LIF. The effects are dose-dependent, with a maximal stimulation of approximately 50-fold for each cytokine. Although PTH and PTHrP activate both adenyl cyclase and phospholipase C-dependent signal transduction pathways, stimulation of IL-6 and LIF depends on adenyl cyclase since it is not reproduced by PTH(3-34), a partial agonist that only activates phospholipase C. These results confirm our previous in vitro studies and support the hypothesis that IL-6 and/or LIF are physiologically important mediators of at least some of the actions of PTH and PTHrP.
Myocardial infarction with normal results of coronary angiography following diltiazem withdrawal

Abrupt withdrawal of calcium channel blocking agents has been associated with symptoms of ischemic heart disease, but acute myocardial infarction has not been noted. Herein is described a severely uremic patient who had an acute myocardial infarction shortly after discontinuance of diltiazem, although results of subsequent coronary arteriography were normal. It is postulated that myocardial damage occurred because of increased intracellular calcium flux, augmented myocardial contractility, and/or drug withdrawal-related coronary spasm.
Dissatisfaction with dental care among mothers of Medicaid-enrolled children.

Objectives: This paper is part of a larger study examining the impact of mothers’ having a regular source of dental care (RSDC) on utilization of dental care and oral health of their preschool children. We describe levels of satisfaction with care among mothers whose preschool children were enrolled in Medicaid in Washington State. We report mothers’ satisfaction related to having a RSDC by type of dental setting/office. Methods: Disproportionate stratified sampling by racial/ethnic group selected 11 305 children aged 3–6 in Medicaid in Washington State. Mothers (n = 4373) completed a mixed-mode survey. Satisfaction with dental care was measured using the Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ). Results: Overall mean DSQ was 57.1 ± 9.9 (range 18–89). A higher score indicates greater satisfaction. There was not evidence of a difference in dissatisfaction by race/ethnicity but Blacks and Hispanics were less satisfied with pain management than Whites. The majority of respondents agreed with the statement that ‘Dentists sometimes act rude to their patients.’ Satisfaction is higher for mothers who have a regular private dentist they see consistently versus having a regular dentist through a public or non-profit clinic. Conclusions: The satisfaction with dental care for this population is low, and considerably lower than found in other studies for primary medical care. Steps need to be taken to increase dental satisfaction and access to private dental clinics, and to increase perceived quality and pain management of dental care in both private clinics and public/non-profits serving low-income populations.
An improved method for process identification in the frequency domain

An improved method which used frequency domain data for the determination of process transfer functions is presented. The method presented uses a sign transformation for regression models to ensure positive parameters. A statistical test, based on a right-hand tail F-ratio test and an uncertainty test, is discussed for selecting an adequate system transfer function. The procedure is demonstrated by two examples.
The migration of small angle boundaries

Abstract It is shown by transmission electron microscopy that the migration of small angle boundaries occurs by the movement of steps which have a high mobility along the boundaries. A dislocation model for the steps is proposed. According to this model the steps are singularities in the small angle boundary. The steps migrate by short-circuit diffusion of atoms along the core of the dislocation which forms the step. In the parts of the small angle boundary between the steps migrate by volume diffusion. It is shown that coarsening of sub-grains is due to the migration of small angle boundaries.
An incrementally deployable energy efficient 802.15.4 MAC protocol (DEEP)

The IEEE 802.15.4 is a standard that specifies the physical layer and media access control for low data rate wireless personal area networks (WPANs). The standard is intended to provide connectivity to mobile devices with storage, energy, and communication constraints that can be used in many industrial, military and civilian application areas. These mobile devices (usually sensors) and actuators are equipped with a radio transceiver, a microcontroller, and a source of energy which is usually a battery. In order to extend the lifetime of a WPAN using the beacon-enabled 802.15.4 standard, we propose an incrementally deployable and energy efficient 802.15.4 MAC protocol (DEEP) for beacon-enabled sensor networks. The implementation of our protocol requires modifications to the superframe guaranteed time slot (GTS) distribution mechanism to reduce energy consumption in the network by reducing the size of broadcast beacons. We implement DEEP through simulations and also using real sensors. For the simulations, we implemented our protocol using Omnet++, and tinyOS and the nesC language were used for the experiments. Our results show that DEEP reduces energy consumption up to nearly 50% when seven devices allocate guaranteed time slots descriptors during normal communication. We also show that DEEP is backward compatible and can be incrementally deployed to extend the lifetime of the network: a partial deployment of DEEP leads to proportional improvements in the network energy savings.
Flexible complex ICA of fMRI data

Data-driven analysis methods, in particular independent component analysis (ICA) has proven quite useful for the analysis of functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) data. In addition, by enabling one to work in its native, complex form, complex-valued ICA algorithms provide better estimation performance compared to the traditional approach that uses only the magnitude data. In the complex domain, circularity has been a common assumption even though most data acquisition methods collect fMRI data that end up being noncircular when saved in complex form. In this paper, we show that a complex ICA approach that does not assume circularity and also adapts to the source density is the more desirable one for performing ICA of complex fMRI data. We show that by adaptively matching the underlying fMRI density model, the analysis performance can be improved in terms of both the estimation of the task-related time courses and in the spatial activation.
Lone Wolf Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Examination of Capabilities and Countermeasures

Today, the specters of lone wolves and autonomous cells acquiring and using chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons of mass destruction, whether in their traditional military forms or the more non-traditional industrial forms, seems less far-fetched. Fortunately, military CBRN agents and weapons are not normally accessible to lone wolves or autonomous cells and are often located in highly secured areas. Therefore, lone wolves and autonomous cells may be drawn to materials similar to CBRN located in less secure areas. These commonplace industrial chemicals, biological contaminants, and radioactive materials could be used to cause disruptions or mass casualties. The dual use nature of these materials and technologies enables them to be turned into weapons and delivered by nonmilitary means. Future “over-the-horizon” threats, such as the proliferation of new biotechnologies and amateur do-it-yourself capabilities, pose a risk that lone wolves could develop weapons at a time when travel...
Scenario-Based Learning Environment to Support Peer-Learning

It is well documented that students learn more effectively when they are actively involved in the learning process, and interacting with peers. Interactive scenario-based education is a novel concept expected to stimulate active learning and provide a peer-learning experience. In this paper we present Create your Scenario Interactively (CSI) module, which is an interactive storybook-like learning tool composed of interactive storyline, 2D/3D visualization, simulation, and state-of-the-art interaction technology. The CSI method allows peer-interactions and prepares students to solve open-ended problems.The CSI module has been developed for metal casting and implemented in manufacturing engineering courses at the University of Oklahoma and Tuskegee University. In this paper, we discuss the impact of the CSI on students’ learning in manufacturing engineering education. Our preliminary results suggest that a majority of the students feels that the CSI module is very effective in keeping them engaged. We also analyze the effect of peer-learning to develop critical thinking and solve design problems. The details of the CSI module, implementation details, and assessment results are discussed in the paper.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Influence of pea genotype on parasitization of the pea weevil, Bruchus pisorum (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) by Eupteromalus leguminis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Rates of parasitization of the pea weevil, Bruchus pisorum L., by Eupteromulus leguminis Gahan were studied on nine genotypes of peas, Pisum sativum L. There were significant differences in percentages of weevils parasitized among the different pea genotypes. A small, though highly significant, negative correlation between susceptibility to weevil infestation and percentage of parasitized weevils was found. Adult parasites emerged from pea seeds through exit holes made by pea weevil larvae. Those parasites that killed weevil larvae before completion of the exit hole (4.9%) were trapped within the seed.
Effects of lateral diffusion on the fluorescence anisotropy in hexagonal lipid phases. II. An experimental study.

The polymorphic phase behavior of unsaturated phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)/diacylglycerol (DG) binary lipid mixtures was investigated by the use of time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy. Using a fluorescent lipid, 1-palmitoyl-2-[[2-[4-(6-phenyl-trans-1,3,5-hexatrienyl)phenylethyl] carbonyl]3-sn-phosphatidyl-choline (DPH-PC), the orientational order and rotational dynamics of the above lipid mixtures in the liquid crystalline lamellar (L alpha) and inverted hexagonal (HII) phases were studied. By employing a one-exponential model (Cheng, K.H. 1989: Biophys. J. 55:1025–1031) to fit the anisotropy decay data, abrupt decreases in the normalized initial anisotropy decay slope and the residual anisotropy of DPH-PC were observed at approximately 6–8% DG, signifying a L alpha/HII phase transition. Using our new theoretical WOBHOP and P2P4HOP models as described in a preceding paper (Van Der Meer, B.W., K.H. Cheng, and S.Y. Chen. 1990. Biophys. J. 58:000–000), two or more rotational correlation times were required to describe the anisotropy decay behavior of DPH-PC in the HII phase. These rotation correlation times were further related to the second and fourth rank order parameters, and the wobbling and hopping diffusion constants of the fluorescent probe in the highly curved lipid cylindrical tubes of the HII phase. The hopping diffusion constant (DH) equals the lateral diffusion constant (DL) divided by R2 (R = radius of the lipid cylindrical tubes). The value of DL was estimated by measuring the excimer formation rate of 1-palmitoyl-2-[10-(1-pyrenl)decanoyl] phosphatidyl choline (py-PC) in the same PE/DG mixtures. Upon comparing the values of DH and DL, the value of R was determined to be approximately 10–15 A, and agreed with that derived from x-ray diffraction (Tate, M.W., and S.M. Gruner, 1989, Biochemistry. 28:4245–4253; Rand, R.P., N.L. Fuller, S.M. Gruner, and V.A. Parsegian. 1990. Biochemistry. 29:76–87).
Automatic digitization of optical spark chamber data using charge coupled devices

Abstract A system of charge-coupled imagers capable of recording optical spark chamber data has been developed. The operation of charge-coupled devices (CCDs) is discussed and details of systems utilizing single and multiple CCD imagers are presented. Data taken using a multiple CCD system in parallel with film are given. CCD sensitivity, spatial resolution and accuracy are discussed and comparisons are made between CCD data and that obtained from film.
Potential Workplace Discrimination Based on Genetic Predisposition: Views of Workers

Background: The authors sought to better understand attitudes of employees at two settings in which occupational exposures may occur regarding their preferences for disclosure of genetic and nongenetic health information and the potential for discrimination by coworkers, lower performance review, and failure to be promoted on the basis of genetic information. Methods: A new, anonymous 168-question survey was administered online to 570 employees at Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in 2006. Results: Respondents indicated that they view genetic information as more sensitive than nongenetic health information and that they do not wish to share either type of information with employers for purposes of protecting their health at work. Conclusions: Despite legal advancements intended to prevent genetic discrimination in the workplace, employees remain concerned about the disclosure of genetic information to employers and fear genetic discrimination in the workp...
Fluctuations of thermodynamic variables in stationary compressible turbulence

A large database of new direct numerical simulations of forced compressible turbulence on up to grids, and a range of Reynolds ( ) and turbulent Mach ( ) numbers, is analysed to study the scaling of pressure, density and temperature fluctuations. Small-perturbation analysis is used to study the scaling of variances, and different cross-correlations as well as spectra. Qualitative differences are observed between low and high . The probability density functions (p.d.f.s) of pressure and density are negatively skewed at low (consistent with incompressible results) but become positively skewed at high . The positive tails are found to follow a log-normal distribution. A new variable is introduced to quantify departures from isentropic fluctuations (an assumption commonly used in the literature) and is found to increase as . However, positive fluctuations of pressure and density tend to be more isentropic than negative fluctuations. In general, Reynolds number effects on single-point statistics are observed to be weak. The spectral behaviour of pressure, density and temperature is also investigated. While at low , pressure appears to scale as ( is the wavenumber) in the inertial range as in incompressible flows, a scaling also appears to be consistent with the data at a range of Mach numbers. Density and temperature spectra are found to scale as for a range of Mach numbers.
Soil Grinding Increases the Relative Abundance of Eukaryotic Phospholipid Fatty Acids

Pretreatment of soil samples, such as grinding and sample size, can potentially affect phospholipid fatty add (PLFA) extraction efficiencies. The objective of this study was to determine how soil pretreatment affects PLFA analysis and interpretation. Two grinding (ground and control) and five soil sample sizes (0.125-5 g) in factorial combinations were applied to restored or remnant prairie soils. In the restored soil, the smaller soil aliquots were more likely to result in outlying values of community composition, suggesting small-scale heterogeneity in microbial community distribution. Grinding reduced this variability in community composition, with no outliers, even with the lowest size in ground soils. However, grinding increased the abundance of eukaryotic relative to prokaryotic PLFAs, and we hypothesize that grinding exposed root cells and the interior of fungal hyphae to extraction. We suggest that in soils with high root densities, soils should not be ground as grinding may obscure changes in the microbial community by exaggerating the eukaryotic signal from roots. However, in soils with low rooting densities, grinding will reduce heterogeneity and ensure that eukaryotic biomarkers are not underestimated.
High Reported Spontaneous Stuttering Recovery Rates

The families of 21 children who stuttered were contacted 6 to 8 years after their child first was diagnosed as needing intervention for stuttering. The vast majority of these children still were ex...
Improving the efficiency of depth-first search by cycle elimination

Abstract An experimental evaluation of a technique for improving the efficiency of depth-first search on graphs is presented. The technique, referred to as cycle checking, prevents the generation of duplicate nodes in the depth-first search of a graph by comparing each newly generated node to the nodes already on the search path. Although cycle checking can be applied to any depth-first type search, this paper focuses on its effect with the heuristic depth-first iterative deepening algorithm IDA∗. Two types of cycle checking are compared, full cycle checking. Full cycle checking compares a new node to all nodes on the path. Parent cycle checking merely compares a new node to the parent of the node being expanded. Both types of cycle checking are shown to improve the efficiency of IDA∗ search in a grid search problem and a route planning problem. Simple guidelines are presented showing which type of cycle checking should be used on a given problem.
Reply to "Comment on 'Low-temperature properties of the Hubbard chain with an attractive interaction' "

In the preceding Comment, the energy of the system is expanded at a van Hove singularity of one band as a function of changes in the field, the magnetization, and the Fermi energy. Unfortunately, not all the derivatives are properly defined at a van Hove singularity. This leads to the erroneous conclusion that the susceptibility is finite at the critical point. The correct result is that M\ensuremath{\propto}(H-${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{c}}$${)}^{1/2}$, in analogy to a Prokovsky-Talapov transition.
Model and representation: the effect of visual feedback on human performance in a color picker interface

User interfaces for color selection consist of a visible screen representation, an input method, and the underlying conceptual organization of the color model. We report a two-way factorial, between-subjects variable experiment that tested the effect of high and low visual feedback interfaces on speed and accuracy of color matching for RGB and HSV color models. The only significant effect was improved accuracy due to increased visual feedback. Using color groups as a within-subjects variable, we found differences in performance of both speed and accuracy. We recommend that experimental tests adopt a color test set that does not show bias toward a particular model, but is based instead on a range of colors that would be most likely matched in practice by people using color selection software. We recomment the Macbeth Color Checker naturals, primaries, and grays. As a follow-up study, a qualitative case analysis of the way users navigated through the color space indicates that feedback helps users with limited knowledge of the model, allowing them to refine their match to a higher degree of accuracy. Users with very little or a lot of knowledge of the color model do not appear to be aided by increased feedback. In conclusion, we suggest that visual feedback and design of the interface may be a more important factor in improving the usability of a color selection interface than the particular color model used.
Radiative Recombination and Carrier Lifetimes in Surface-Free GaAs Homostructures

We show that the radiative efficiencies and lifetimes of photoexcited carriers in epitaxial GaAs may be enhanced by 3 to 4 orders-of-magnitude by the preparation of n+, doped layers at surface and substrate interfaces. Samples were prepared by Organo-Metallic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (OMVPE), with n-region thicknesses of 3–10µm, and narrow layers Si-doped to n+ concentrations of 5×1018 cm-3. Time-resolved luminescence in such structures, under both surface and bulk (near-band-edge) excitation conditions, reveal near-edge-excitonic or band-to-band-dominated recombination spectra, with carrier lifetimes ranging from 1.5 nsec at 1.5 K to nearly 1µsec at room temperature. This is in contrast to the sub-nanosecond lifetimes typical in conventionally prepared bulk GaAs, but is comparable to the best reported for high-purity LPE-prepared GaAs/AlxGa1-xAs double heterostructures. The spatial distributions of photoexcited carriers in these structures are observed to expand by over an order of magnitude during their 1µsec room temperature lifetime. The expansion is diffusive, with a measured diffusion constant of 14 cm2/sec at 300 K. This corresponds to a room temperature mobility of 525 cm2/Vsec, comparable to previously measured hole mobilities in bulk p-type GaAs of similar purity. These results are clear evidence that the narrow, heavily doped layers effectively “shield” minority carriers from the interfaces, thereby reducing interface recombination.
Co‐expression and regulation of Met and Ron proto‐oncogenes in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and cell lines

Abstract Met and ron proto-oncogenes encode the cell surface receptors for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and hepatocyte growth factor-like (HLP) protein, respectively, and induce mitogenesis, motogenesis, morphogenesis, and metastatic activity in various cell types. Overexpression of met in human carcinoma has been reported by several groups including ours; however, the mechanisms that control met gene expression are thus far unclear. The present study focuses on the expression and regulation of the Met and Ron receptors in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We report here that abnormal expression of met and ron proteins occurs in some cases of human HCC. Using several HCC cell lines as a model system, we show that HGF, as well as other cytokines, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), induce met and ron expression. Using several chimeric constructs consisting of various lengths of the met promoter region fused to the reporter gene of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT), and by performing transient transfection of these constructs into HepG2 cells, we show that induction of met gene expression by HGF and other cytokines is, at least in part, through up-regulation of met gene promoter activity. The DNA region conferring responsiveness to cytokine induction was located within 0.2 kb of the met core promoter. Interestingly, EGF did not stimulate met promoter activity in any of the met-CAT chimeric constructs. These results provide evidence that met and ron are modulated in the liver by a similar cytokine network. In the case of met expression, the 0.2-kb region in the met gene promoter may play an important role in mediating its gene induction in response to HGF and other cytokines. Our results also suggest that unregulated expression of met and ron may be associated with pathological conditions, such as HCC, in the liver. (Hepatology 1997 Jul;26(1):59-66)
Recruitment of a peptidyl‐tRNA hydrolase as a facilitator of group II intron splicing in chloroplasts

Group II introns are catalytic RNAs that have been proposed to be the evolutionary precursors to the spliceosome. Most group II introns require accessory factors to splice efficiently in vivo, but few such factors have been identified. We have cloned the maize nuclear gene crs2, which is required for the splicing of nine group II introns in chloroplasts. CRS2 is related to peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase enzymes. However, CRS2 expression failed to rescue an Escherichia coli pthts mutant and CRS2 lacks several conserved amino acids that are important for the activity of the E.coli enzyme, indicating that it may lack peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase activity. CRS2 is localized to the chloroplast stroma, where it is found in a large salt-stable complex that contains RNA. CRS2 co-sediments with group II intron RNA during centrifugation of stroma through sucrose gradients, suggesting that CRS2 facilitates splicing via direct interaction with intron RNA. Sequence comparisons indicate how evolutionary tinkering may have allowed an enzyme that interacts with peptidyl-tRNAs to acquire a function in group II intron splicing.
Composite pulsed field gradients with refocused chemical shifts and short recovery time.

Abstract An improved self-compensating pulsed field gradient (PFG) technique that combines antiphase gradient pairs with broadband frequency-modulated 180° pulses is proposed. The antiphase gradient pairs lead to superb system recovery. In addition, evolution under chemical shift and heteronuclear J coupling are refocused during the PFG, making it appear effectively instantaneous. This new approach makes it possible to obtain high-resolution phase-sensitive 2D spectra for the PFG version of many experiments such as COSY, DQF-COSY, and HSQC without adding extra compensating delays or pulses. While reasonable suppression of unwanted magnetization is achieved, this method also gives satisfactory retention of desired signals. As a bonus, the field-frequency lock is not perturbed during the experiments.
Anemia in Ducklings treated with Malarious Plasma.

Abstract Plasma from ducklings infected with Plasmodium lophurae was filtered to insure the removal of parasites and donor red blood cells; this was administered intravenously in a series of three inocula per recipient duckling. Birds receiving the plasma underwent an anemia and a radical loss of polychromatophil erythroblasts. These manifestations were similar to those observed in ducklings with low-grade infections. In one of three groups of experimental ducklings which received no further treatment, the total red blood cell count reached a mean of less than 1.00 million per cubic millimeter. The birds became moribund and died or were killed. In the other two groups, there was a replacement of red blood cells by the influx of basophil erythroblasts. This alleviated the anemia and recovery followed. From a review of the literature and examination of our own work, we believe that we are observing the effects of one or more soluble antigens in the malarious plasma and of corresponding antierythrocytic antibodies.